Banked autologous blood in total hip replacement

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Transfusion Medicine
• Anesthesiology

Background:

• Total hip replacement (THR) is a common orthopedic procedure.
• Homologous blood transfusions carry risks, including serum hepatitis.
• Autologous blood transfusion (ABT) offers a potential alternative.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of autologous blood transfusion in patients undergoing total hip replacement.
• To assess the impact of pre-operative hemoglobin and hematocrit levels on patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study involving 61 patients undergoing THR.
• Pre-operative phlebotomy for autologous blood collection (up to 3 units within 3 weeks of surgery).
• Monitoring of hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, wound healing, and signs of infection.

Main Results:

• Autologous blood transfusion was successfully employed in all patients.
• Hemoglobin levels below 7 mg/dL and hematocrit below 29% did not adversely affect wound healing or infection resistance.
• No adverse events related to autologous blood transfusion were reported.

Conclusions:

• Autologous blood transfusion is a safe and effective option for patients undergoing total hip replacement.
• Lower pre-operative hemoglobin and hematocrit levels are acceptable in the context of ABT for THR.
• ABT minimizes risks associated with homologous blood transfusion, such as transfusion-transmitted infections.