Cell Salvage

Last modified: 09 July 2022, 5:05:16 PM AEST
Gems1 / 7
  • key part of PBM
  • most JW will accept
Indications2 / 7
  • significant blood loss
    • adults = 500 mL = 10% TBV
    • children = 8 mL/kg = 10% TBV
  • reduce incidence of
    • allogenic RBC transfusion
    • severe postop anaemia
  • specific
    • JW
    • cardiothoracic / vascular surgery
Contraindications3 / 7
  • relative
    • contamination (cancer, infection)
    • however, note that circulating malignant cells are often in cancer patients, regardless of CS
    • phaeochromocytoma
  • patient refusal
  • grossly contaminated surgical field (per manufacturer)
    • especially bowel contamination = conflicting evidence
    • use leucodepletion filter
  • pause when non-IV-licensed substances are used
    • iodine, topical clotting agents, orthopaedic cement
  • sickle cell anaemia
    • due to some returned RBC sickling (deformation) rate 15-50%
    • result = significant haemolysis
    • discsuss with haematologist on a case-by-case basis
  • phaeochromocytoma (BB 2017)
    • vasoactive molecules are still active on reinfusion
Risks / disadvantages4 / 7
  • coagulopathy
    • CS blood contains no platelets or coagulation factors
Technique / description5 / 7
  • collection of shed blood from surgical field
    • use minimal suction vacuum pressure ~ -100 to -150 mmHg to minimise RBC lysis
  • blood is mixed with anticoagulant (heparinised saline / acid-citrate-dextrose)
  • centrifugation
    • separation of RBC from whole anticoagulated blood
    • denser RBC forced to outer wall of bowel
    • plasma moves towards centre + spills into waste bag
  • wash RBC
    • use NS
  • pump into bag for reinfusion
    • resultant Hct 50-80%
    • no platelets or coagulation factors
    • WBC can be removed with leucodepletion filter
    • contains bacteria, fetal Hb
    • amniotic fluid = fetal squamous cells mostly removed
  • reinfusion
    • follow manufacturers recommendation
    • usually 4h after processing / 6h after start of collection
    • keep at patient's bedside at all times
Common questions / related topics6 / 7
  • leucodepletion filter for re-infusion
    • cancer surgery
    • infected surgical field
    • obstetrics = mixed evidence
      • SALVO trial = no significant difference
References7 / 7

AAGBI 2018 Guidelines

Perioperative cell salvage, BJAE 2010

Intra-operative cell salvage: a fresh look at the indications and contraindications, Blood Transf 2011