INTRAOPERATIVE BLOOD SALVAGE IN CHILDREN AND YOUNG-ADULTS UNDERGOING SPINAL SURGERY WITH PREDEPOSITED AUTOLOGOUS BLOOD - EFFICACY AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS

We conducted a retrospective review of 155 spinal operations at our in stitution to determine the efficacy of intraoperative salvage. Additio n of intraoperative salvage had little effect on the success of a preo perative autologous donation program. Only patients with operative blo od loss >2,000 ml (12% of patients) benefited from this expensive sour ce of autologous blood. The technique tended to be most effective in c hildren aged 16-18 years. Use of intraoperative salvage for all pediat ric spinal procedures is neither necessary nor cost effective.