Use of the Cell Saver during Elective Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Surgery — Influence on Transfusion with Bank Blood. A Retrospective Survey

One hundred and two patients undergoing elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair and admitted to ICU at RPAH in 1989/90 were studied. In forty patients a cell saver was used during the operative procedure (Group CS) while in the remaining sixty-two patients intraoperative blood loss was drained and discarded conventionally (Group NCS). Preoperative ASA grade and postoperative APACHE score were similar in these two groups. The amount of bank blood transfused intraoperatively was less in Group CS than in Group NCS (0.6 ±0.2 vs 3.3 ±0.3 units) (mean ± SEM) (P < 0.0001). The total amount of bank blood transfused during hospital admission was also less in Group CS (1.5 ± 0.4 vs 4.8 ± 0.4 units, P < 0.0001). Of Group CS, 22 patients (55%) received no bank blood compared to two patients (3%) in Group NCS. There was no difference between the groups with respect to postoperative haemoglobin and creatinine levels. ICU stay was similar in both groups. We conclude that use of the cell saver reduces perioperative bank blood transfusion in elective abdominal aortic surgery.