Modern autotransfusion. Experience with a washed red cell processing technique.

The technique of intraoperative autotransfusion utilizing the Haemonetics Cell Saver is described. This device separates and washes red blood cells removed from the surgical field. Advantages of this unit over others are (1) no systemic anticoagulation is required, (2) circulatory fibrin debris is removed, (3) plasma hemoglobin is removed, and (4) any circulating anticoagulant is removed. Experience with 136 consecutive cases. 101 elective and 35 emergency, is reported. The only complication was coagulopathy, which occurred in 5.1 percent of the cases. It is easily treated with blood component therapy and occurs in those patients in whom greater then 3,500 cm3 of blood is autotransfused. The Cell Saver has proven an important adjunct in surgical patients in whom greater than 1,000 cm3 of blood will be lost, as well as in emergency patients. It provides an efficient, economical and safe method to autotransfuse blood.