The Cell Saver: A Valuable Adjunct In Total Joint Arthroplasty

High erythrocyte viability makes the Cell Saver a valuable adjunct in total joint arthroplasty.

Erythrocytes can be salvaged from blood collected from surgical wounds. However, no previous study assessed whether the chemical and thermal reactions produced by motorized instruments or the polymethylmethacrylate cement used during surgery alter erythrocyte viability.

Against this background, researchers from the Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, California, assessed erythrocyte viability in fresh blood obtained before surgery as well as salvaged blood that had been recycled, washed, and filtered using the Cell Saver. The three patients enrolled were undergoing primary total joint arthroplasty using cement.

A mean of 88 percent of the erythrocytes in blood salvaged using the Cell Saver were viable. By way of comparison, the American Association of Blood Banks sets a standard for erythrocyte viability in cross-matched allogeneic blood and pre-deposited autologous blood of 70 percent. The authors add that the very high mean viability and extremely small standard deviation – plus or minus 3.8 percent – compared to the Association’s standards makes a larger study unnecessary.

The authors commented that the high erythrocyte viability makes the Cell Saver a valuable adjunct to other blood management techniques used during total joint arthroplasty.

Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 2002;84:23-25.