Study Summary

Sixty-five patients with spinal deformity scheduled for a lumbar spinal fusion surgery were randomized to receive a blood salvaging and re-infusion system or traditional closed suction drainage for the reduction of homologous blood transfusion. The primary outcome of interest was post-operative homologous blood transfusion volume. Additional outcomes of interest included estimated blood loss, IV fluid volume, autologous blood transfusion, drainage output, and hemoglobin levels. Outcomes were assessed both intra-operatively and post-operatively. No statistically significantly differences in homologous blood transfusion volume, both intra-operatively and post-operatively, were observed between the two groups (p=0.48, p=0.35). Drainage output at 24 hours and total drainage output were statistically significantly higher in the blood salvaging group compared to the closed suction drainage group (p=0.0005; p=0.005). Hemoglobin levels at post-operative day 2 and 3 were significantly higher in the blood salvaging group (p=0.02, p=0.01). No statistically significant differences were observed between groups in the remaining outcomes.