Background: The risks associated with homologous blood transfusion and the increasing shortage of banked blood have brought the need for blood salvage procedures to the forefront.

Post operative blood salvage and autologous blood transfusion have been used though the financial implications of their use has not been assessed in the UK.

Methods: We carried out a retrospective study of 98 consecutive unilateral Total Knee Replacements performed in 96/97, under the care of one consultant, of these 55 had non-autologous drains and 43 had autologous drains after surgery.

Results:

Mean blood loss (non-autologous system) – 778mls

Mean blood loss ( autologous system) – 633mls

Mean autologous blood reinfused – 360mls

- (autologous drainage system)

Mean homologous blood transfused – 179mls

- autologous drainage system)

Mean homologous blood transfused – 590mls

- (non autologous drainage system)

Total cost for use of autologous drainage system and associated transfusion – 6,226.00

Total cost for use of non-autologous drainage system and associated transfusion – 8,346.00

Conclusions: Autologous drains decreased the need for homologous blood transfusion by 69% and brought about a financial saving of 26%. There were no complications arising from the use of autologous drains. There was less blood loss with the use of autologous drains than non-autologous drains in our study.