[Intraoperative autologous transfusion (erythrocyte saving) in surgery for scoliosis. A case-controlled study]

A Haemonatics Cell Saver 3+ was used for intraoperative autologous transfusion in a case control study of 20 patients with idiopathic adolescent scoliosis. Ten of the patients were treated surgically by Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation (CDI) with intraoperative autologous transfusion and ten patients were submitted to Harrington' method of operation with device for transverse traction (DTT). In the CDI group the mean peroperative blood loss was 1,700 ml and a mean of 804 ml or 69% was transfused intraoperatively with a hematocrit of 60%. Out of a total blood loss of 2,701 ml 44% of the red blood-cells were autotransfused in all. Seven patients did not required blood transfusion and two patients did not require blood transfusion postoperatively. In the Harrington group the mean total blood loss the was 2,390 ml and the mean peroperative blood loss was 1,715 ml. The total requirement for transfusion was 34 units peroperative and 15 units postoperatively. In a series of ten patients submitted to operative treatment for scoliosis, the need for blood transfusion was reduced by 49% compared with a control group.