Reinfusion of Shed Blood after Total Knee Arthroplasty

This study was designed to assess the significance of the reinifusion system for unwashed, filtered shed blood (CBC II: ConstaVac Blood Conservation System II, Stryker) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Forty-nine cases were evaluated. Forty-four cases were managed only with CBC II, while 5 were managed with both CBC II and the preoperative autologous blood donation. Fifty-two % of the blood loss after surgery was collected and transfused on an average. Five cases who were managed only with CBC II had homologous transfusion, however, 2 of the 5 cases were transfused because of the postoperative complications (apoplexy and intestinal bleeding) more than 2 days after surgery. No major complications caused by the use of CBC II were recognized. It is a beneficial method to use CBC II after TKA in order to avoid homologous transfusion.