Predonated autologous blood transfusion in elective orthopaedic surgery: A Hospital experience

Abstract

Background: The use of homologous blood carries significant risk of viral infections and immune-mediated reactions. Preoperative autologous blood donation is an attractive alternative to homologous transfusion and has become common in elective orthopaedic surgery.

Objective: To present our experience with the use of preoperative autologous blood donation program in elective orthopaedic surgery.

Design/ Setting: A prospective study of patient charts and blood bank records carried out between March 1998 and August 1999 at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yopougon Teaching Hospital, Abidjan, Côte d\'Ivoire.

Patients and methods: Twenty patients scheduled for elective orthopaedic procedures entered the program. There were 13 men and seven women with a mean age of 33.1 years. Fifteen of them were operated on and transfused.

Main outcome measures: The number of units of blood collected, autologous or homologous transfusion requirements, side effects encountered during donation and transfusion of blood were documented.
Results: Of the 62 units requested 57 (91.9%) were collected. We were able to meet 86.7%
of transfusion requirements with autologous blood. The incidence of homologous transfusion was 13.3%. Thirty-eight (66.7%) units were transfused. The rate of wastage of units was 33.3%. There were no major complications as a result of the patients either giving their own blood or receiving any blood products.
Conclusions: This study confirms that autologous blood transfusion is an effective way of reducing the need for homologous blood. The procedure of preoperative autologous blood donation is cost effective, safe, and should be widespread.


Keywords: Autologous blood, Elective orthopaedic surgery, Homologous blood, Transfusion

Nigerian Journal of Orthopaedics and Trauma Vol. 6 (2) 2007: pp.52-54