title: Prospective comparative study of two different autotransfusion methods versus control group in total knee replacement.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of two different autotransfusion methods in total knee replacement (TKR) performed without tourniquet, in comparison to allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT) only.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a comparative study, 248 patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomized in three groups: in control Group 85 the patients underwent only ABT post-operatively, in Group 1 (n:92) an intraoperative and postoperative autotransfusion were utilized, and in Group 2 (n:71) only a postoperative autotransfusion was applied. Post-operative ABT was utilized according to predetermined criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Comparing Group 0 to Group 1 and 2 the difference in need for ABT post-operatively was statistically highly significant (p < 0.001) even when the results were analyzed classifying the patients according to the preoperative Hb levels. The difference between Group 1 and 2 was not significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to the results of this study, auto-transfusion reduces the need for ABT in TKR performed without tourniquet.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Dragana, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Konstantinos S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Blatsoukas
authors.forename: Georgios I
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Drosos
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kazakos
authors.forename: Miltiadis
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Papaioakim
authors.forename: Theodora
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gioka
authors.forename: Pelagia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chloropoulou
authors.forename: Dionisios-Alexandros
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Verettas
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000601:surgery; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies