Reinfusion of drained blood as an alternative to homologous blood transfusion after total knee replacement.

In patients undergoing total knee replacement we carried out a longitudinal cohort study to determine the efficacy and safety of a postoperative autologous blood reinfusion system, as an alternative to homologous, banked blood transfusions. Fifty patients received reinfusion of unwashed, filtered, shed blood, supplemented with banked blood transfusions as required. A control group of 50 patients in whom standard suction drains were used received homologous blood transfusions as required. In the study group, the homologous blood requirement was reduced by 80%. There was no significant difference in the postoperative haemoglobin values between the two groups. None of the patients developed any adverse reactions after reinfusion.