To evaluate the sterility of blood salvaged intraoperatively by a new membrane filtration system for transfusion.
Quantitative microbiologic cultures were prospectively collected from units of blood acquired by intraoperative membrane filtration from 18 patients undergoing elective spinal surgery. Medical records were reviewed for adverse events.
A 204-bed, medical school-affiliated community hospital.
Quantitative blood cultures were sterile in 12 of 31 units of recovered blood. Of the 19 positive units, 17 units grew only 1 colony-forming unit (CFU)/mL, 1 unit grew 2 CFU/mL, and 1 unit grew 5 CFU/mL. The only organisms isolated were diphtheroids, coagulase-negative staphylococci, and micrococci. No patient experienced postoperative sepsis.
Blood recovered by intraoperative membrane filtration is microbiologically equivalent to blood salvaged by continuous flow. Because no perfusionist and no expensive capital equipment are required, the technique is amenable to small and medium-sized hospitals that otherwise might financially be unable to provide intraoperative blood salvage.