Combined use of autologous transfusion techniques to avoid allogeneic transfusion in spinal fusion surgery with instrumentation.

Summary This study conducted a retrospective review of the medical records of 321 patients to delineate the efficacy of the combined use of autologous transfusion (AT) techniques. Transfusion profiles between an AT and homologous transfusion (HT) group were compared. A much lower proportion of patients were exposed to allogeneic blood in the AT group (13%) than in the HT group (98%, p < 0.001). In the AT group, a significantly smaller proportion of patients were exposed to allogeneic blood in patients transfused with three or four AT techniques (8%) than those with one or two techniques (29%, p < 0.05). A febrile reaction (11% of patients) after a reinfusion of post-operatively shed blood was the only side effect associated with an AT. In conclusion, an AT is effective for preventing the exposure of allogeneic blood in spinal fusion surgery. The combined use of multiple AT techniques may further improve its efficacy.