Re-transfusion of autologous blood from wound drains: the means for reducing transfusion requirements in total knee arthroplasty.

The requirements for homologous blood transfusion in patients undergoing total knee replacements under tourniquet, before and after the introduction of autologous transfusion of blood collected from wound drains, are compared. In a control population of 93 patients undergoing total knee replacement, 67 required homologous transfusions of two units or more. In 160 patients who were re-transfused with blood from wound drains, only 30 required additional homologous transfusions. Re-transfusion of filtered drained blood reduces the need for homologous bank blood. This avoids the risks associated with donated blood and affords significant cost savings.