Transfusion of autologous blood from reinfusion systems in total knee arthroplasty

After total knee arthroplasty (TKA) the technique of wound management is not standardised. In this prospective study the efficacy of autologous blood reinfusion from the wound was investigated. One hundred patients (100 TKAs) were enrolled in this sequential cohort study. In one-half of the operations, a reinfusion system with suction and in the other half one wound drain without suction were used. Blood loss, transfusion requirements, range of motion, Insall scores and the incidence of complications were studied. The use of a reinfusion system did not decrease the homologous transfusion requirements. The blood loss in the group with a suction drainage system was significantly higher. Our experiences since May 2002 with one drain without suction in 787 consecutive TKAs confirm all findings of the current study.