Use of re-transfusion versus vacuum drains in primary total hip replacement

Abstract

Whilst the use of re-transfusion drains in primary knee arthroplasty has gained acceptance in reducing the requirement for donor blood products postoperatively, their use in total hip arthroplasty remains uncertain. Using two groups of 32 patients, a comparison was made between re-transfusion drains and vacuum drains in primary total hip arthroplasty in one centre and the requirement for postoperative donor blood. No statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of blood loss (p=0.51) or requirements for postoperative blood transfusion (p=0.12). The use of re-transfusion drains in primary total hip arthroplasty did not alter the rate of postoperative blood transfusion. (Hip International 2005; 15: 223-5).

Post-operative blood salvage with autologous retransfusion in primary total hip replacement

“…22 Others question the clinical and economic benefit of post-operative salvage in primary THR. [23][24][25] Another concluded that although the risk of homologous blood transfusion is reduced in revision arthroplasty and in patients who have not pre-donated blood, there is no benefit in those primary THR patients able to pre-donate their blood. 26 The introduction of minimal-incision techniques has been shown to reduce intraoperative loss of blood, but the rate of post-operative transfusion is not significantly reduced when compared to conventional surgery.…”