Abstract
Introduction: Elective joint replacement patients routinely require transfusion following surgery. Haemoglobin must remain within red blood cells in order to be functional. The process of surgery and collection in the reinfusion drain may disrupt cell membranes resulting in non functional haemoglobin. The filtration and collection process does not eliminate free haemoglobin. This results in intracellular and free haemoglobin being transfused into patients giving false functional haemoglobin levels.
Aim: To determine the proportion of intracellular haemoglobin in autologous blood transfusion drain following joint replacement.
Research Methodology: Research ethical approval was obtained prior to conducting this study. 20 consecutive patients undergoing elective total hip replacement (THR) and 20 consecutive patients undergoing elective knee replacement (TKR) from April 08–July 08 were consented to participate in this study. A standard full blood count sample of 3 mls was taken from the rein-fused blood. Each sample had the total haemoglobin (THb) concentration determined (i.e. free and intra-cellular) from the blood in the specimen tube. The sample was then centrifuged, and the THb of the supernatant was determined. This determined the concentation of ‘free’ haemoglobin. From these two respective values, the proportion of haemolysed haemoglobin was determined from each sample.
Results: There were a total of 35 participants of which 20 were TKR and 15 were THR. The average THb concentration for the THR and TKR were 7.7g/dl and 10.3g/dl respectively. The proportion of haemolysed Hb was 1.46% and 0% respectively. The THb and proportion of haemolysed Hb for all 35 patients were 8.76g/dl and 0.63%.
Conclusion: Autologous blood transfusion is not only safe and economical but remains an effective procedure with a negligible proportion of haemolysis
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