Erythrocytes and proinflammatory mediators in wound drainage
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Updated: Oct 26, 2026

Collecting And Measuring Wound Exudate Biochemical Mediators In Surgical Wounds
Published on: October 20, 2012
S Mottl-Link1, M Russlies, M Klinger
1Klinik für Orthopädie, Universität Lübeck, Deutschland. ts.link@t-online.de
Background And Objectives:
Retransfusion of shed blood collected after operation has become popular, but recent reports of side effects led to a search for possible causes.
Materials And Methods:
In a randomized study of 28 patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty, shed blood was collected in Solcotrans, Orth-Evac, and ordinary Redon drainage. Osmotic fragility was measured and electron-microscopic pictures of erythrocytes from selective samples were taken. Serotonin, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and histamine were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.
Results:
Higher osmotic fragility of erythrocytes collected with Solcotrans appeared to be due to ACD which was used only with that system. Serotonin concentrations did not differ significantly. However, there was a great increase in histamine (Solcotrans 477.7, Orth-Evac 344.0, Redon drainage 453.1 nmol/ml) and PGE2 (Solcotrans 1,908.3, Orth-Evac 1,225.0, Redon drainage 2,666.7 microgram/ml) in shed blood compared with venous blood (histamine 9.5 nmol/l, PGE2 4.2 microgram/ml).
Conclusion:
Unwashed wound drainage blood collected after operation contains levels of proinflammatory mediators that can account for the reported side effects.
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