BLOODLESSNESS OF SURGICAL PROCEDURES
For all procedures performed in our clinic, where there is a risk of major blood loss, all available methods to ensure bloodlessness are used with the utmost care:
- gentle surgical procedures with minimal invasiveness
- preoperative autotransfusion if indicated
- intraoperatively if isovolemic haemodilution is indicated
- post-operatively, if indicated, special return systems that can ensure the recovery of part of the lost blood
Autotransfer
Autotransfusion is recommended before elective surgical procedures with anticipated blood loss, such as some orthopedic or surgical operations. In the Clinic, this is primarily for hip or knee replacement surgeries where blood transfusions are often needed.
Autotransfusion refers to a procedure in which the patient's own blood, taken either before surgery or even during surgery, is returned to the patient.
The most common form of autotransfusion is planned autotransfusion, where the patient's own blood is drawn well in advance of the planned surgery and then given to the patient during or after surgery.
The main aim of autotransfusion is to ensure that the patient is not transfused with allogeneic blood (from donors), even when administration of a blood derivative is necessary.
The advantage of autotransfusion is the reduction or elimination of possible transmission of serious infectious diseases (AIDS, hepatitis, etc.) and the elimination of the formation of antibodies to red blood cells. This situation arises in patients who receive repeated transfusions from donors and are at risk of developing post-transfusion reactions.
Autotransfusions are indicated by the attending physician, preferably an anaesthesiologist during the pre-operative anaesthetic consultation in the clinic outpatient department. The ideal timing of the first blood draw is three weeks before surgery. The number of units and quantity is indicated by the physician based on the patient's examination and evaluation of laboratory tests. Two blood draws 7 days apart are most often recommended. The last collection should be no less than 4 days before surgery.
The attending physician will consider all possible contraindications to blood collection, warn the patient of possible risks (hematoma at the collection site, weakness and general nausea after collection, especially after leaving the blood transfusion unit quickly). We recommend arranging for an escort home in the case of autotransfusion collection, a car ride.
The patient does not have to worry about transmission of infectious diseases. All equipment used is disposable.
Autotransfusions should not be performed in patients who have an infectious disease, have a red blood cell deficiency, have certain heart rhythm disorders, are less than 6 months post myocardial infarction or stroke. The indication is always considered individually based on the current state of health.
Autotransfusion is recommended before elective surgical procedures with anticipated blood loss.