No benefit of autologous transfusion drains in total knee arthroplasty

Autologous blood transfusion drains are commonly used to reduce allogeneic blood transfusion rate after total knee arthroplasty. There is conflicting evidence as to whether autologous transfusion drains (ABT drains) were effective when restrictive transfusion triggers were used. The aim of our study was to ascertain where, as a part of a blood management protocol, autologous blood transfusion drains reduce the allogeneic blood transfusion rate after total knee arthroplasty.

Two-hundred total knee arthroplasty patients were included in the prospective randomized controlled study. After implantation, a Redon drain without vacuum assistance (control, n = 100) or an autologous blood transfusion drain (ABT group, n = 100) was used. Demographic and operative data were collected. The blood loss, total blood loss, blood values and transfusion rate were documented.

The blood loss in the drains was significantly increased for the ABT group (409 vs. 297 ml, p < 0.001). There was a non-significant trend towards a higher total blood loss for ABT patients (1844 vs. 1685 ml, n.s.). The allogeneic blood transfusion rate was similar for both groups (8 vs. 9%, n.s.). Similarly, the number of transfused blood units was comparable between both groups (0.2U/patient vs. 0.17U/patient n.s.).

In combination with restrictive blood transfusion triggers, ABT drains had no positive effect on the allogeneic blood transfusion rate. The blood loss in ABT drains was higher. As a consequence, the use of ABT drains was discontinued.

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