Discover how intraoperative cell salvage technology revolutionises patient care by collecting, processing, and returning a patient's own blood during surgical procedures.
Intraoperative cell salvage represents a revolutionary approach to blood conservation, offering patients a safer alternative to traditional blood transfusions.
Intraoperative cell salvage, also known as autotransfusion, is the collection of a patient's own blood lost during surgical procedures. The blood is collected, processed through advanced washing systems, and the concentrated red cells are reinfused back to the patient.
This innovative technology represents a safe and effective alternative to donor blood transfusion, significantly reducing the risks associated with allogeneic blood while ensuring patients receive their own healthy red blood cells during surgery.
Zero risk of ABO incompatibility or allergic reactions
No risk of donor-transmitted diseases or contamination
Reduces strain on limited donor blood supplies
Particularly economical for major surgical procedures
Acceptable to patients with religious objections to donor blood
Cell salvage systems use advanced centrifugal technology to separate and wash red blood cells, delivering purified, concentrated blood back to the patient with exceptional efficiency.
Sterile suction lines collect blood from surgical field
Double-lumen catheter mixes anticoagulant solution
Collection reservoir stores initial blood volume
Saline-heparin mixture prevents clotting
Centrifuge bowl separates components by density
Multiple wash cycles with sterile saline
Leucocyte depletion filtration system
Quality sensors monitor haematocrit levels
Sterile reinfusion bag stores processed cells
Concentrated red cells (50-80% haematocrit)
Visual quality inspection performed
Standard blood administration set used
Cell salvage is recommended for procedures with anticipated significant blood loss or when the probability of transfusion is high, providing optimal patient outcomes.
CABG procedures
Valve replacement surgery
Aortic surgical procedures
Redo cardiac operations
Complex congenital repairs
Major joint replacements
Spinal fusion surgery
Revision arthroplasty
Complex trauma procedures
Tumour resection surgery
Vascular surgery
Liver transplantation
Major trauma surgery
Obstetric emergencies
Jehovah's Witness patients
Active infection at surgical site
Risk of enteric contamination
Risk of tumour cell reinfusion
Risk of embolism
May damage equipment
Some agents interfere with processing
Risk of sickling during processing
May not be cost-effective
The collected blood must be clean and uncontaminated. Visual inspection is performed before processing, and any blood showing signs of contamination should be discarded. Modern cell salvage systems include comprehensive quality control features to monitor the final product and ensure patient safety.
Extensive clinical research demonstrates that cell salvage delivers measurable safety, effectiveness, and economic advantages across multiple surgical specialties.
Complete elimination of HIV, Hepatitis B/C, and other blood-borne pathogen transmission through autologous blood processing.
No risk of ABO incompatibility, allergic reactions, or transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI).
Rigorous processing protocols with multiple wash cycles and quality control checkpoints ensure optimal blood product safety.
Consistently demonstrates 40-60% reduction in allogeneic transfusion requirements across cardiac, orthopaedic, and vascular procedures.
Advanced centrifugal technology achieves 85-95% red cell recovery efficiency with final haematocrit levels of 50-80%.
Reduced hospital stays, fewer complications, and improved recovery times through optimised blood management strategies.
Book an experienced cell salvage operator for your procedures today