Post-operative autologous transfusion of filtered shed blood in total knee arthroplasty: clinical bloodmanagement in everyday orthopaedic practice

This retrospective study will evaluate the efficacy of an ABT system in TKA and compare it to the use of no drain in everyday practice. The primary research question is whether allogeneic blood transfusions are reduced when comparing the use of ABT systems to no use of post-operative drainage systems. As transfusion triggers tend to vary overtime and between hospitals, the primary outcome will be peri-operative Hb levels. In addition, variables that may have influenced peri-operative blood loss will be measured and analyzed.

Allogeneic blood transfusions are reduced when comparing the use of an ABT system to no use of post-operative drains in patients who underwent TKA.

Pre-, peri and 1, 2 and 3 days post operative HB levels.



Complication rate up to 6 months post operative

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is associated with considerable blood loss, which may lead to post-operative anemia. To compensate for this blood loss, blood transfusions are sometimes necessary. Although the risks associated with allogeneic blood transfusions, such as transmittable diseases (e.g. HIV, hepatitis C and cytomegalovirus), allergic reactions and immunomodulatory effects are rare and have been minimized over the last years, public expectations are to have a zero-risk blood supply. As a result, alternative blood saving methods have become increasingly popular in treatment and prevention of post-operative anemia. One of these alternative blood saving methods is the use of post-operative draining systems with autologous blood transfusion (ABT). ABT systems have shown controversial results when it comes to decrease in use of allogeneic blood transfusions in TKA.