Assessment of intra-operative cell salvage haemolysis in the obstetric and orthopaedic clinical setting, in comparison with allogeneic blood.

This is an interesting report from an active group who have published widely on the topic of cell salvaged blood quality. This paper shows quite clearly the difference in blood quality between techniques of collecting the salvaged blood. This comparison was between the collection of pooled blood (obstetric cases) and surface skimming (orthopaedic cases) where suction of blood seems to have caused greater haemolysis.

The observation that lower haemolysis and lower residual free haemoglobin is found when blood is collected from pooled collections is not surprising. This is recommended as best practice. This paper therefore underscores the recommended technique of collection from pooled split blood. It is interesting that free haemoglobin at the lower levels has no significant clinical effect on renal function.

This paper reminds us that, when used correctly, cell salvage is a very safe technique.

– Dafydd Thomas

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