[Continuous autotransfusion during liver transplantation]

The advantages and disadvantages of continuous autotransfusion during liver transplantation are investigated in our study compared with blood saving and traditional cell saving techniques. Patients were divided into three groups in this retrospective study; Group 1 (n = 14): continuous autotransfusion was applied; in Group 2 (n = 14): no blood saving technique used; in Group 3 (n = 14): Haemonetics cell saver was used. In Group 1 the number of Child B patients was significantly higher than Child C patients (p < 0.05). The initial values of haemoglobin were significantly lower in Groups 1 and 3 (89 +/- 19 vs. 103 +/- 17 vs. 90 +/- 16.8 g/l; p < 0.03). During hepatectomy in Group 1 lower haemoglobin values were detected than in the other two groups (96 +/- 7 vs. 104 +/- 16 vs. 106 +/- 16.6 g/l; p < 0.05). The quantity of total blood utilisation (donor + autotransfusion) was significantly higher in Group 3 than Group 2 and in Group 1 than Group 2 (21.06 +/- 11.2 vs. 11.07 +/- 3.8 vs. 30.71 +/- 18 U; p < 0.001). Comparing the values of ACT in each group during operation periods no significant difference was found. Treatment time on the ICU of the patients in Group 3 was significantly longer than in the other two groups (11.08 +/- 7.8 vs. 9.17 +/- 3.5 vs. 26.62 +/- 14.6 days; p < 0.03). We found that applying CATS is advantageous during liver transplantation, as the device reduces donor blood requirement. No significant complication was observed.