Effect of autologous blood donation in patients undergoing elective spine surgery

Autologous blood predeposit before elective surgery is a rapidly expanding transfusion practice. A 3-year analysis of an autologous blood predeposit program was conducted to assess its impact on orthopaedic spine surgery. It was concluded that, first, autologous blood donation has resulted in a reduction of homologous blood transfusions in patients undergoing elective spine procedures from 26% to 13% (P = .02). Second, autologous blood preoperative donation in elective spine surgery has increased significantly, so that autologous blood as an alternative to homologous blood transfusion now represents a standard of practice for elective spine surgery at the institution included in the study. Third, limitations of preoperative autologous blood procurement suggest that application of additional blood conservation interventions as alternatives to homologous blood would be important contributors to achieving "bloodless" surgery in this setting.