Autotransfusion in revision total hip arthroplasties using uncemented prostheses

During the period from March 1983 to April 1987, autotransfusion was used in 64 patients treated with cementless revision total hip arthroplasties. An average of 3.9 units of intraoperative blood was salvaged, using a semicontinuous system; 6.5 units were salvaged in patients requiring segmental grafting of the acetabulum and femur. Patients not requiring segmental grafting had only 2.1 units salvaged. The use of homologous banked blood in patients without stored autologous units available was almost three times that of patients with autologous blood. Autotransfusion in the form of autologous transfusions and intraoperative blood salvage accounted for 72% of the total blood requirements. The cell saver is most cost-effective in patients with femur and acetabular bone loss requiring segmental grafting. An autologous transfusion program is important in all patients in whom blood transfusions are expected.