Autologous drains are used frequently in total knee replacement surgery but not in total hip replacement surgery (THR). Previous studies have shown that these drains are not cost effective in THR surgery. We studied the effectiveness of autologous drains in THR surgery compared with normal suction drains.

All the patients had an uncemented hip. The Bellovac®A.B.T (Astra) autologous drainage system was used. Patients using the drains were studied prospectively and the volume of drainage, volume of autotransfusion, amount of homologous blood transfused and the hospital stay were all recorded. A group of patients who had normal suction drains were studied retrospectively to determine the transfusion rate and hospital stay using these drains.

In the group using standard suction drains there were 43 patients with a mean age of 72. The mean drainage was 641 ml (Range 500 – 1070). 10 patients out of 43 had a transfusion (Transfusion rate 23%). A total of 21 units of blood were used. The mean hospital stay was 14 nights. In the group using autologous drains there were 38 patients with a mean age of 67. The mean drainage was 703 ml (Range 200 – 1700), and of this the mean volume of blood that was given back to the patient was 445 ml (Range 50 – 1050). 2 out of 38 patients have required a blood transfusion, a transfusion rate of 5 % . This reduction in transfusion rate is significant (p< 0.005). The mean hospital stay was 9 nights. The difference in the hospital stay was not statistically significant.

Using the autologous drainage system in uncemented total hip replacement surgery reduces the need for a homologous blood transfusion. It is simple and easy to use and avoids the complications of a blood transfusion. It was also found to be cost effective.