Postoperative Blood Salvage (PBS): Benefits & Procedure

Intraoperative Cell Salvage: Autologous Transfusion

Postoperative blood salvage (PBS) collects shed surgical blood, processes it, and reinfuses the patient’s own red cells.

Procedure (Cell Saver® System)

1. Collection – Suction from surgical field into anticoagulated reservoir.
2. Filtration – Gross debris, fat, bone chips removed.
3. Centrifugation – Separates RBCs from plasma, platelets, clotting factors, free Hb, cytokines.
4. Washing – Saline washes remove contaminants; hematocrit ~50–60%.
5. Reinfusion – Via standard IV line, usually within 6 h.

Advantages

• Eliminates allogeneic transfusion risks (infections, ABO mismatch, TRALI, immunomodulation).
• Reduces donor blood demand & cost.
• Improves oxygen delivery with fresh, viable autologous RBCs (2,3‑DPG preserved).
• Shorter hospital stay in cardiac, orthopedic, trauma, transplant surgery.

Considerations

• Contraindicated if malignant cells or gross bacterial contamination suspected.
• Does not replace platelets/plasma; coagulopathy may need component therapy.
• Cost‑effective when >1 unit expected to be salvaged.