Vital signs following autotransfusion in liposuction and concurrent aesthetic procedures

Liposuction might lead to complications such as bleeding and anemia, and the volume of blood lost cannot be predicted. Autotransfusion has hemodynamic benefits and may be associated with better patient recovery.

To evaluate whether Autolog IQTM impacts the vital signs of patients undergoing liposuction.

A retrospective case-control study with patients undergoing liposuction from July to November 2023. Observers were blinded to data collection and analysis, and 98 patients were included and classified into an intervention group (autotransfusion during the procedure) or control group.

49 patients used Autolog, and 49 patients made up the control group, selected conveniently. 94 patients (96%) were women, with a mean age of 39±9.17 years and a mean weight of 26.5±3.55kg. Heart rate (HR) response in the postoperative period (MD -12, 95% CI: -19.42 to -4.58, p=0.002) and during anesthesia recovery (MD -8, 95% CI: -13.56 to -2.44, p=0.005) compared to the perioperative period favored the Autolog group. Mean arterial pressure during anesthesia recovery compared to the perioperative period (MD -25, 95% CI: -30.5 to -19.95, p<0.001); the MEWS score at hospital discharge (MD 1, 95% CI: 0.56 to 1.44, p<0.001); and HR at hospital discharge compared to postoperative (MD 10.5, 95% CI: 2.5 to 18.5, p=0.01) and anesthesia recovery (MD 8, 95% CI: 1.45 to 14.55, p=0.02) favored the control group.

Autotransfusion showed potential benefits in immediate postoperative heart rate response and anesthesia recovery. Broader studies are needed in this population.