COMBINATION OF BLOOD-SAVING METHODS DECREASES HOMOLOGOUS BLOOD REQUIREMENTS IN SCOLIOSIS SURGERY

A study was conducted in patients undergoing surgery for idiopathic sc oliosis, to determine whether combining blood-saving methods would dec rease the need for homologous blood. Five groups were compared in a pr ospective randomized fashion. In control patients (n = 13), blood loss was replaced by colloids. Preoperative haemodilution (PHD group) was used in ten patients. In the intraoperative autotransfusion (LAT) grou p (n = 11), washed red cells were returned to the patient. In the PHD + IAT group, both methods were combined (n = 13). In the fifth group, in addition, arterial hypotension was maintained with sodium nitroprus side (the PHD + IAT + HA group, n = 10). The haemoglobin value was kep t above 79 g/l. Total blood loss did not differ between groups. The us e of homologous blood in the PHDS-LAT and PHD + IAT + HA groups was si gnificantly less than in controls. It is concluded that blood-saving m easures can be combined with an augmentative effect.