Comparison of Autotransfusion with Homologous Transfusion in Spinal Surgery

Lee, Ji Ho; Kim, Han Soo; Yoon, Kang Sup; Lee, Dong Ho; Do, Sang Hwan; Min, Sung Won; Kim, Jong Soo

Abstract

Autotransfusion has been used widely in surgical patients for the purpose of preventing complications associated with homologous transfusion. Recently it has been drawing much attention for the fear of transfusion-transmitted disease, especially AIDS. So we reviewed 54 patients who were trated with spinal surgery to investigate the safety and efficacy of autotransfusion. Among them, 26 patients were transfused with autologous blood with various combinations of its methods,l patient with both autologous and homologous blood and other 27 patients were transfused with homologous blood. We analyzed perioperative changes of complete blood count, transfusion amount and postoperative drainage amount. And we investigated the occurrence of complications associated with transfusion. In our study, 26 of 27 in autotransfusion group need no more homologous blood transfusion additionally and had no complication associated with transfusion. Autotransfusion group showed smaller amount and shorter period of postoprative Hemovac drainage than homologous transfusion group. And perioperative decrease of hemoglobin in autotransfusion group was smaller than that of homologous transfusion group. In conclusion, autotransfusion was carried out safely in orthopedic surgery such as spinal surgery when transfusion was expected, and so we recommend autotransfusion as a method of transfusion by which the complications of homologous transfusion can be averted.