Abstract
Study Purpose: To investigate whether the use of reinfusion drains and post-operative autogenous blood transfusion reduces the rate of allogeneic blood transfusion after primary total knee replacement in our unit.
Methods: A prospective audit was carried out over a 14-week period. Patients received either a reinfusion drain, a suction drain or no drain according to surgeon preference. Post-operative allogeneic blood transfusion criteria were based on clinical indication rather than an absolute haemoglobin level.
Results:127 consecutive patients underwent total knee replacement during the study period. Patients were matched between the three groups for age, medical co-morbidity, DVT prophylaxis, and implant used.
Conclusion: The use of reinfusion drains did not significantly reduce the requirement for post-operative allogeneic blood transfusion. This directly contrasts much of the published literature.
Correspondence should be addressed to Mr Tim Wilton, BASK at the Royal College of Surgeons, 35–43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PE.
