Intraoperative Cell Salvage - Intra What?

Cell Salvage? Is that safe? Is that possible? And is it something I really want to consider. Short answer to all three: YES.

Intraoperative cell salvage, during which blood shed during trauma is collected and then transfused back into a patient, appears to be safe and cost-effective compared with standard alternatives in trauma patients, according to new research. (see diagram)



Now, this isn't necessarily recommended for someone, like myself, who has a failing blood system, however, in times of trauma - it's completely plausible.

A recent study included 47 patients undergoing surgery at a level 1 trauma center from 2006 to 2007. Patients received intraoperative cell salvage and autologous blood transfusion and were compared with 47 patients similar in age and sex who underwent similar surgeries (mostly laparotomies) and required transfusion, but who did not receive cell salvage as part of their resuscitation.

Patients who received cell salvage had an average intraoperative blood loss of 1795 mL but received an average return of 819 mL of their own blood (P < .001) compared with an intraoperative blood loss of 978 mL in patients who did not receive intraoperative cell salvage.

The researchers also found that patients who received cell salvage received fewer intraoperative and total units of allogeneic packed red blood cells compared with patients who did not receive the procedure (2 vs 4 units during surgery [P = .002]; and 4 vs 8 units [P < .001 total]). They also received fewer total units of plasma (3 vs 5 units; P = .03).

Costs were lower in the cell salvage compared with the comparison group ($1616 vs $2584; P = .004), although the average length of stay in the intensive care unit was similar (about 8 days), and was in the hospital overall (18 vs 20 days for cell salvage and comparison group, respectively; P = .75).

Death rates were 13% for the cell salvage group compared with 21% in the comparison group, which was not statistically significantly different between the 2 groups.

The researchers suggest that future studies should try to "preoperatively identify patients who would most benefit from autologous transfusion and to optimize cost-effectiveness."

They add that "centers with access to a cell salvage program should routinely use autologous transfusion as part of their intraoperative resuscitation," and that "centers not currently using intraoperative cell salvage and autotransfusion should identify and overcome barriers to implementing this life-saving technique."

This is a positive advancement in blood transfusions and during a time, like in the summer, when supplies are critically low, this may answer the question - Where will our blood supply come from for emergencies? Of course this doesn't resolve my constant need issue, however, it's a step in the right direction.


(Info from Medscape Medical News, 7/21)