PIG Meeting: 11th February 2021

85yo male for THR

Background

• Mantle cell lymphoma – in remission
• HTN
• Mild anaemia Hb 122

Discussion

• Can his anaemia be optimised?
  • Discussed with haematologist – didn’t feel EPO was indicated
  • Fe replete

• Should we use cell salvage?
  • Blood transfusion after primary THR is not uncommon (although usually occurs postoperatively)
  • Lymphoma is not a contraindication. See the HNE cell salvage guideline.
  • Info from one of the cell salvage coordinators:
    • “Closed circuits” for JW patients just means than the return bag is connected from the start by an infusion line to the patient.
    • Newer systems have a smaller collection bowl but still need to be filled. The circuit is flushed with saline to collect any red cells stuck in the filter and saline-soaked bloodied packs can also contribute to collection. There is still a minimum volume but this is small with an end-product of 135ml of 70% Hct red cells.
  • Disadvantages include the environmental costs of the circuit + staffing and resource allocation (outweighed by the benefits in a patient who declines allogeneic transfusion)

• Which surgical cases warrant cell salvage in a JW patient?
  • Difficult to be specific, each case needs to be considered individually.
  • In general, cases which would normally warrant a G&S (and thus have a likely higher risk for transfusion), should likely have cell salvage, although this is not a hard rule and may need to be discussed with the surgeon.