Intraoperative autologous transfusion in emergency surgery for spine trauma

Although numerous studies have reported the use of intraoperative blood salvage in elective spine, cardiac, and vascular surgery, very few have assessed its efficiency during emergency surgery after spine trauma. We therefore retrospectively analyzed 238 cases of patients with spine trauma who had emergency surgery. Three variables were significantly associated with the risk of perioperative blood transfusion: thoracolumbar spine injury, a preoperative hematocrit < 35%, and an Injury Severity Score > 20. Among the 118 patients who received blood transfusions, 53 benefitted from intraoperative blood salvage using the Cell-Saver apparatus (Cell-Saver group) and 65 did not (control group). The Cell-Saver enabled a 47% reduction in homologous blood requirements (743 +/- 1191 mL vs. 1403 +/- 1453 mL, p < 0.008) and a 45% reduction in the number of patients who received homologous blood (45% vs. 82%, p < 0.001). Between these two groups, no significant differences were observed in the evolution of hematocrit, platelet count, and hemostasis values, but a slight increase in postoperative blood loss was noted in the Cell-Saver group (465 +/- 383 mL vs. 301 +/- 292 mL, p < 0.01). In conclusion, the efficiency of intraoperative blood salvage in emergency surgery for spine trauma is high and similar to that previously reported in elective spine surgery. The cost-effectiveness of this technique may be improved by appropriate selection of the patient.