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The risk profile of trabecular aspiration versus trabeculectomy in glaucoma triple procedure.

OBJECTIVE: This study was set up to establish the relative safety and effectiveness of trabecular aspiration in combination with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation (phacoaspiration) for decreasing intraocular pressure (IOP), and to compare the outcome of this method of treatment with that of standard filtering glaucoma triple procedure (phaco-trab). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized study. PARTICIPANTS: The study consisted of 40 eyes of 40 patients with uncontrolled exfoliation glaucoma without a history of previous intra- or extraocular surgery and in need of cataract surgery. INTERVENTION: Temporal clear corneal phacoemulsification and foldable IOL implantation was performed in all eyes. In the phaco-aspiration group, trabecular aspiration was performed with a suction force of 100-200 mmHg under light tissue-instrument contact using a modified intraocular aspiration probe. A modified Cairns-type trabeculectomy without adjunctive antimetabolites was performed superiorly in the phaco-trab eyes after IOL implantation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The surgical outcome was assessed in terms of IOP change, need for adjunctive glaucoma medication, visual acuity outcome, and incidence of complications. RESULTS: At 1 year after combined surgery, mean (+/-SD) IOP and number of glaucoma medi- cation were 19.5+/-2.7 mmHg and 0.6+/-0.5 in the phaco-aspiration group, compared with 17.5+/-2.4 mmHg and 0.3+/-0.4 in the phaco-trab group. Hyphema (38%) and ocular hypotony (14%) were observed in the phaco-trab group only, whereas blood reflux (52%) and descemetolyses (23%) were seen exclusively in the phaco-aspiration group. CONCLUSION: In exfoliative eyes, trabecular aspiration in combination with phacoemulsification and IOL implantation is less effective in reducing postoperative IOP and number of glaucoma medications than the standard filtering glaucoma triple procedure. The risk profile, however, appears to be more favorable in the phaco-aspiration-treated eyes than in the phaco-trab group. Trabecular aspiration in glaucoma triple procedure could serve as a possible treatment of choice for exfoliative eyes with coexisting cataract and glaucoma.

Aged↗

Early neurological and electroencephalographic changes after coronary artery surgery in low-risk patients younger than 70 years.

Between September 1986 and January 1988 neurological examination and electroencephalography (EEG) was performed before and one week after coronary artery bypass grafting in 66 patients younger than 70 years. Twenty patients were randomized to a bubble oxygenator without an arterial line filter (Group I), 22 patients to a bubble oxygenator with a depth adsorption filter (Group II), and 24 patients to a membrane oxygenator without a filter (Group III). No patient suffered a major stroke but early central nervous system dysfunction occurred after the operation in four patients (20%) in Group I, in four patients (18%) in group II and in two patients (8%) in group III. The difference between group I and III was not statistically significant but a larger number of patients in the groups might alter this. Our prospective study demonstrated a significant incidence of neurologic dysfunction in a low risk patient population undergoing standard coronary artery bypass surgery.

Adult↗

Duplex-directed vena caval filter placement: report of initial experience.

BACKGROUND: Fluoroscopy, cost, and patient transport contribute to difficulties occasionally associated with the placement of vena caval filters. Follow-up data in the literature document the use of duplex ultrasonography in visualizing the filter and determining caval patency. Filter placement at the bedside or in the vascular laboratory with duplex ultrasonography may simplify this common procedure. We have attempted to define the feasibility of this method. METHODS: Patients referred to the vascular surgery service for vena caval interruption were evaluated for ability to visualize the renal veins and inferior vena cava. Location of renal veins, maximum diameter of the vena cava, and presence or absence of thrombus were documented. If visualization was adequate, placement was performed at the bedside for patients in intensive care or in the vascular laboratory for nonmonitored patients. The initial 10 patients and subsequent patients in whom there was a question of adequate deployment underwent completion abdominal roentgenography. Patient follow-up was difficult. Duplex ultrasonography was used to assess migration, thrombus adherent to the filter, and vena caval patency. Patients in whom filter placement was prophylactic were given anticoagulants at the discretion of the primary physician. Inadequate visualization or vena caval size greater than 28 mm prompted fluoroscopic placement of the vena caval filter, because only Greenfield titanium filters were used in the study. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients were referred for vena caval interruption. Inadequate visualization occurred in four obese patients, and filters were placed by fluoroscopy. There were no vena caval measurements greater than 24 mm. Twenty-five filters were placed without technical difficulty. One filter tilted into the right renal vein, requiring a suprarenal filter placed by fluoroscopy. Patient retrieval for follow-up has been difficult, but by ultrasonography there has been one vena caval thrombosis and no major filter migration. There have been no reported pulmonary emboli other than the one patient with initial tilt of the filter. CONCLUSIONS: Placement of vena caval filters is feasible with duplex ultrasonography. Visualization is the only limiting condition to placement and occurs rarely. Reducing the need for fluoroscopy, lowering costs, and not needing to transport the critically ill patient support the use of this system. Intravascular ultrasonography in selected patients may eliminate the need for fluoroscopic placement of vena caval filters.

Fluoroscopy↗

Quality-of-life improvements in cataract patients with bilateral blue light-filtering intraocular lenses: clinical trial.

PURPOSE: To compare change in patient-reported vision-related and health-related functioning and quality of life (HRQOL) following bilateral implantation with a new blue light-filtering intraocular lens (IOL) with the results of a similar IOL that does not filter blue light. SETTING: Six clinical sites in the United States. METHODS: Patients were from 6 clinical sites in the United States that performed a high volume of cataract surgeries. The HRQOL assessments occurred via telephone while patients were at home. Patients requiring bilateral cataract extraction were randomly assigned to 1 of the 2 IOL groups for the first eye. The second eye was later implanted with the same type of IOL. Patients and HRQOL data collectors were treatment-masked, but investigators could not be. Health-related functioning and quality of life was measured with the 39-item National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-39) and 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12). Assessments were at baseline before implantation in the first eye and 30 to 60 days and 120 to 180 days after implantation of the lens in the second eye. RESULTS: Both IOL types improved most aspects of patients' HRQOL including color vision and driving. The largest gains occurred on the VFQ composite, general vision, near activities, distance activities, driving, mental health, peripheral vision, and role difficulties scales. Significant gains also occurred on color vision and other vision-specific scales as well as the SF-12 physical component summary score. There were no significant differences in HRQOL gains between the IOLs. CONCLUSION: The blue light-filtering IOL improved color vision, driving, and other aspects of HRQOL in a manner similar to that of a lens that does not filter blue light.

Aged↗

Use of the single-plate Molteno implant in refractory glaucoma.

During a 5-year period, 60 patients with uncontrolled glaucoma in one eye, who were considered to have a poor surgical prognosis with conventional drainage surgery, were treated with a single-plate Molteno implant. The surgery was performed in one operation and the tube tied with an absorbable suture in all cases. The overall follow-up was 20.3 +/- 11 months (range 3-60). A successful outcome (defined as an intra-ocular pressure < or = 21 mm Hg with or without treatment) was achieved in 56% of the 16 eyes with either aphakic or pseudophakic glaucoma, in 71% of the 14 eyes with uncontrolled glaucoma despite a previous filtering procedure, in 46% of the 13 eyes with traumatic glaucoma and in 64% of the 17 eyes with traumatic glaucoma and lens involvement. The visual acuity remained the same or better in 70% (42/60). Early complications of the surgery were transient and easily treated. Late complications included tube exposure in 3 (5%), tube retraction in 2 (3.3%), bleb encapsulation in 5 (8.3%) and corneal decompensation in 1 (1.65%). This study suggests that the single-plate Molteno implant is a useful drainage device with satisfactory results when used for the treatment of refractory secondary glaucoma.

Adult↗

Goniocurettage for removing trabecular meshwork: clinical results of a new surgical technique in advanced chronic open-angle glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To elucidate the long-term outcome of goniocurettage as a new technique in trabecular microsurgery for advanced open-angle glaucoma. METHODS: In a prospective, nonrandomized clinical trial, 25 eyes of 25 patients with a mean age +/- SD of 72.7+/-10.1 years (range, 50 to 89 years) with uncontrolled chronic open-angle glaucoma that had undergone failed filtering procedures were treated by goniocurettage. Trabecular tissue was scraped away from the chamber angle by means of an instrument similar to a microchalazion curette (diameter, 300 microm). RESULTS: Before surgery, intraocular pressure ranged from 29 to 48 mm Hg (mean +/- SD, 34.7+/-7.1 mm Hg), and mean number of antiglaucoma medications was 2.2+/-0.56. Follow-up averaged (+/-SD) 32.6+/-8.1 months (range, 30 to 45 months). Overall success, defined as postoperative intraocular pressure of 19 mm Hg or less with one pressure-reducing agent, was attained in 15 eyes (60%), with five eyes (20%) being controlled without medication. Considering all successfully treated patients, the mean intraocular pressure was 17.7+/-3.1 mm Hg (range, 10 to 19 mm Hg) at the final visit. Mean intraocular pressure reduction was 17.1+/-7.1 mm Hg in these eyes, representing a net decrease from baseline of 49%. Number of antiglaucoma medications dropped to 0.63+/-0.29. Complications included localized Descemet membrane detachment in five eyes (20%) and moderate anterior chamber bleeding in four eyes (16%). CONCLUSIONS: This new surgical technique can effectively control intraocular pressure for long periods of time in patients with open-angle glaucoma and a history of failed filtering procedures. Goniocurettage may be a suitable alternative to surgical treatment of glaucoma patients with excessive conjunctival scarification.

Aged↗

Intraoperative identification of regenerated chorda tympani nerve and its relationship to recovered taste function.

This study demonstrated a simple method of repairing the severed chorda tympani nerve and a method of intraoperative identification of regenerated nerves, and evaluated taste function of regenerated nerves. Seven patients who underwent staged tympanoplasty and whose chorda tympani nerve was severed during primary surgery were evaluated. When the chorda tympani nerve was severed during primary surgery, proximal and distal stumps were anastomosed or approximated almost in the original position and fixed with fibrin glue on the temporal muscle fascia used to reconstruct the eardrum by the underlay method. During primary surgery, end-to-end anastomosis was possible in 3 patients but nerve gap defects remained in the other 4 patients. In all 7 patients, regenerated nerves were identified during secondary surgery not in the tympanic cavity but in the submucosal layer of the previously reconstructed eardrum. In all patients, complete or incomplete recovery of taste perception was observed by both the filter paper disk method and electrogustometry, suggesting that the regenerated nerves had actual taste function. From these results, it was concluded that the severed chorda tympani nerve could regenerate in the reconstructed eardrum even if nerve gap defects remained between the proximal and distal cut ends, when repair or approximation of the nerve was properly completed.

Adolescent↗

Leukocyte depletion of cellular blood components.

Clinical studies have indicated that the use of leukocyte-reduced cellular blood components produced in the laboratory may prevent febrile reactions and delay or prevent alloimmunization to HLA antigens and refractoriness to platelet transfusion. Additional investigations regarding the effects of the use of leukocyte-reduced blood components were reported during the past year. A recent study in patients with hematologic malignancy that employed the commonly used bedside leukocyte-reduction filters failed to confirm a decrease in the rate of alloimmunization, except in a subgroup of patients with acute myelogenous leukemia. Another major multicenter trial confirmed the effectiveness of leukocyte-reduced blood components in the prevention of cytomegalovirus infection. The effect of allogeneic leukocytes in transfused blood on immune function in patients undergoing colorectal surgery continues to receive attention. Whereas one study failed to demonstrate an adverse effect of standard blood components on disease recurrence or survival, a second study demonstrated a marginally significant decrease in infectious complications in patients who received only leukocyte-reduced blood. Increasingly efficient leukocyte-reduction filters have been developed for cellular blood components, many of which are best suited for laboratory filtration of unstored blood. Laboratory studies indicate that prestorage leukocyte-reduction of cellular blood components does not impair erythrocyte or platelet function and will not increase the incidence of microbial contamination of blood. New methods that employ flow cytometry should enable improved quality control of blood components rendered leukocyte-reduced by the newer, more efficient filters. Finally, a cost-benefit analysis suggests that the appropriate use of leukocyte-reduction filters for acute leukemia patients may reduce the cost of health care to these patients.

Blood Component Transfusion↗

Clinical experience with a new apheresis filter that specifically depletes ABO blood group antibodies.

BACKGROUND: Although living kidney donors are increasingly being used, in most centers, 30 to 40 percent of potential donors are being turned down due to ABO mismatch. A protocol for ABO-mismatched kidney transplantation without splenectomy and with antigen-specific adsorption of ABO antibodies instead of nonspecific plasmapheresis was therefore designed. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The immunosuppressive protocol used at the Department of Transplantation Surgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden, together with relevant clinical data for 11 of the studied patients, have been described previously. The protocol called for immunoadsorption of ABO antibodies on Days -6, -5, -2, and -1 and on Days +2, +5, and +8. Patient plasma was recirculated through a new apheresis filter, the Glycosorb ABO column (Glycorex Transplantation AB), containing synthetic terminal trisaccharide A or B blood group antigen linked to a Sepharose matrix. RESULTS: Since 2001, 15 patients, including 2 infants, have been successfully transplanted with ABO-mismatched kidneys from living donors. The donor-recipient blood groups were A1-O (n = 5), A2-O (n = 2), B-O (n = 4), B-A (n = 2), and A1B-B (n = 2). ABO antibody titers at transplantation did not exceed immunoglobulin G 4 or immunoglobulin M 4 levels. No humoral rejections and no late rebound of ABO antibodies were observed. No adverse effects related to immunoadsorption treatment have been recorded. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that ABO-mismatched kidney transplantations can be successfully performed without splenectomy and that ABO antibodies can be effectively and safely depleted with the Glycosorb ABO column.

ABO Blood-Group System↗

[Postoperative autotransfusion in primary knee replacement surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of postoperative autologous transfusion to reduce homologous blood transfusion needs in primary knee replacement surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective study was carried out in 33 consecutive patients with diagnoses of arthrosis scheduled for primary knee replacement surgery with postoperative autotransfusion using a CBCII Constavac-Stryker (Stryker Instruments, Michigan, USA) recovery system from June through October 2002. We analyzed patient age, sex, preoperative and postoperative (24 hours) hemoglobin and hematocrit values, autologous blood reinfused and homologous blood transfusion incidence rate (if hematocrit was below 25%). RESULTS: Of the 33 patients receiving postoperative autotransfusion, one also needed homologous blood transfusion (3%). The mean volume of filtered whole blood reinfused was 538.63+/-261.23 mL, 1100 mL being the largest volume reinfused. We observed no complications related to use of autotransfusion devices during the perioperative period. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative autotransfusion as the only blood salvage technique in primary knee prosthesis surgery nearly eliminates homologous transfusion needs. In addition, it is a safe, simple procedure and has replaced our hospital's preoperative autologous transfusion procedure.

Aged↗

Comparative study of trabecular aspiration vs trabeculectomy in glaucoma triple procedure to treat pseudoexfoliation glaucoma.

OBJECTIVES: To establish the relative safety and effectiveness of trabecular aspiration in combination with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation (asp+IOL) for decreasing intraocular pressure (IOP), and to compare the outcome of this method of treatment with that of phacoemulsification and IOL implantation alone (IOL-alone) or standard filtering glaucoma triple procedure (triple procedure). DESIGN: Prospective, controlled study randomized with respect to assignment to trabecular aspiration, with a case-control design between the asp+IOL and triple procedure groups. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-four eyes of 74 patients with uncontrolled pseudoexfoliation glaucoma without a history of previous intraocular or extraocular surgery and in need of cataract surgery. Forty-eight patients were randomized to those receiving adjunctive trabecular aspiration (asp+IOL group of 26 eyes) and those given no trabecular aspiration (IOL-alone group of 22 eyes). The triple procedure group consisted of 26 cases, closely matched to the asp+IOL cases in terms of age, sex, cup-disc ratio, glaucoma medication requirements, and systemic diseases. INTERVENTIONS: Temporal clear corneal phacoemulsification and foldable IOL implantation was performed in all eyes. In the asp+IOL group, trabecular aspiration was performed with a suction force of 100 to 200 mm Hg under light tissue-instrument contact using a modified intraocular aspiration probe. A modified Cairns-type trabeculectomy without adjunctive antimetabolites was performed superiorly in the triple procedure eyes after IOL implantation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Surgical outcome was assessed in terms of IOP change, need of adjunctive glaucoma medication, visual acuity outcome, and complications. Surgical failure was defined as an outcome requiring additional surgical intervention or more than 1 medication to achieve IOP control to the target pressure. RESULTS: Two years after surgery, success rates were 36%, 64%, and 78% in the IOL-alone, asp+IOL, and triple procedure groups, respectively (P<.001). Hyphema (46%) and ocular hypotony (11%) were observed in the triple procedure group only, whereas blood reflux (61%) and descemetolysis (19%) were seen exclusively in the asp+IOL group. CONCLUSIONS: In pseudoexfoliative eyes, asp+IOL is significantly more effective than cataract surgery alone in reducing postoperative IOP and the necessity for glaucoma medication. Although trabecular aspiration in the triple procedure did not achieve pressure control in all patients, especially in the low target pressure range, the risk profile appears to be more favorable in the trabecular aspiration-treated eyes than in the filtering glaucoma triple procedure group. Trabecular aspiration in the glaucoma triple procedure could serve as a possible first-line treatment for pseudoexfoliative eyes with coexisting cataract and glaucoma.

Aged↗

Task-related variation in airborne concentrations of laboratory animal allergens: studies with Rat n I.

To define airborne allergen exposure during various tasks with rats in a laboratory, concentrations of allergen Rat n I were measured by radioimmunoassay in extracts from filters in personal air sampling devices that were worn by laboratory workers while they were performing these tasks. The tasks included feeding, cage cleaning, handling, injection, surgery, and sacrifice. Median concentrations encountered during feeding or cleaning (21 ng/m3) and injection or handling (13 ng/m3) were higher than those associated with surgery or sacrifice (3.1 ng/m3; p less than 0.01). Area samples in animal-holding rooms contained 3.4 ng/m3 during animal handling and 2.3 ng/m3 at other times. Very low concentrations were found in air outside the handling room, in unused laboratories, or outside air. We concluded that certain tasks incur a higher risk of allergen exposure but that exposure may occur anywhere within an animal laboratory environment.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗

Clinical impact of patent foramen ovale diagnosis with transcranial Doppler.

The role of patent foramen ovale (PFO) in cryptogenic stroke is still debated, but from recent follow-up studies it seems that the amount of right-to-left shunt (RLS) and the association with atrial septal aneurysm (ASA) are major determinants of stroke recurrence. PFO and RLS through the atrial chambers have been recently studied in a number of conditions not or marginally related to cerebrovascular disease. Historically the first studies addressed the presence of RLS in scuba divers as a possible abnormality related to decompression sickness (DS) of unknown aetiology. Despite initial debate there is now robust evidence to claim that patency of foramen ovale increases the risk of developing DS by two and half to four times. Patients with PFO-related DS tend to have early occurrence of symptoms after surfacing and a clinical presentation that indicates brain or upper cervical spinal cord involvement. Recent reports suggest that divers with hemodynamically significant RLS may have an increased risk of developing clinically asymptomatic multiple brain lesions. PFO has been found in patients suffering from migraine with aura with approximately the same frequency as that encountered in cryptogenic stroke patients. This finding has prompted speculations on the possible role of RLS in increasing the stroke risk in migraineurs and in the pathophysiology of the aura. Recent reports showing that migraine with aura is dramatically improved after transcatheter closure of PFO suggest that migraine with aura may indeed be triggered by humoral factors that reach the brain by escaping the pulmonary filter. A RLS is involved in a rare condition known as platypnea-orthodeoxia and perhaps underlies an increased risk of cerebral complications after major orthopedic surgery. Valsalva-like activities often precede the occurrence of attacks of transient global amnesia (TGA) and abnormalities consistent with hypoperfusion of deep limbic structures have been reported during a typical TGA episode. This had raised the hypothesis that TGA may be triggered by paradoxical embolism of platelets aggregates in the posterior circulation, but the search for an increased frequency of PFO in TGA patients has yielded conflicting results. Conditions that determine an increase in pulmonary pressure may facilitate the opening of the virtual interatrial valve and thus promoting shunting of blood to the left heart chambers which in turn might contribute to further desaturation of arterial blood. It is therefore not surprising that RLS has been found in 70% of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and increased pulmonary pressure and in the same proportion of patients with obstructive sleep apnoea, a condition that ultimately may result in pulmonary hypertension. In conclusion, from the evidence gathered so far the picture is emerging of an important role of PFO in a number of non-stroke conditions, either as causative factor or as associated condition predisposing to complications. The availability of simple diagnostic techniques such as transcranial Doppler (TCD) to assess RLS will undoubtedly contribute a great deal of knowledge on the relevance in medicine of this hitherto neglected condition.

Decompression Sickness↗

Echocardiographic and signal averaged ECG indices associated with non-sustained ventricular tachycardia after repair of tetralogy of fallot.

OBJECTIVE: To identify any possible association between different readily available non-invasive indices and potential malignant ventricular arrhythmias in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot. DESIGN: 27 consecutive patients, mean (SD) age 27.3 (11.7) years, were studied 15.7 (6.7) years after corrective surgery for tetralogy of Fallot, using 12 lead ECG, 24 hour Holter recordings, signal averaged ECG, and echocardiography. The following variables were measured: standard QRS duration, filtered QRS duration (fltQRS), low amplitude signal duration, and root mean square voltage of the last 40 ms of the fltQRS (RMS-40), as well as right ventricular systolic pressure, right ventricular ejection fraction, and the ratio of the maximum short axis diameters of the right and left ventricles (RD:LD). RESULTS: All patients had right bundle branch block, with a mean QRS duration of 137.1 (14.9) ms. There were no patients with sustained arrhythmia. Five patients had runs of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (group A) and the other 22 patients did not (group B). Univariate analysis showed that fltQRS and RD:LD ratio were significantly associated with non-sustained ventricular tachycardia. In addition, a fltQRS >/= 148 ms, low amplitude signal >/= 32.5 ms, RMS-40 </= 23 microV, and RD:LD ratio >/= 1.05 were cut off points with a high sensitivity for detecting patients with non-sustained ventricular tachycardia. CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal signal averaged ECG and echocardiographic variables are associated with potentially malignant ventricular arrhythmias on the Holter recordings in asymptomatic patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot.

Adult↗

[Results of goniotrepanation in chronic simple glaucoma after drug therapy and argon laser trabeculoplasty].

In a retrospective study the effects of goniotrephination following antiglaucoma medication and argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) were examined. The study addressed the first treated eye in each of 61 patients. In all patients tropial antiglaucoma medication was continued after ALT. In the period between ALT and goniotrepanation the cup-disc ratio (CDR) progressed significantly (P < 0.01), with worsening of visual field defects. The long-term antiglaucoma medication and the ALT had no effect on the wound healing following the filtering procedure. ALT is contraindicated in preexisting pathologic CDR and visual field defects. In such cases intraocular pressure must be reduced to below 20 mmHg: filtration surgery is effective in lowering the intraocular pressure sufficiently.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Computerized control of the procedure for detecting and removing airborne particles in operating rooms.

Surgical-site infections are still a major problem in modern medicine. Normal skin fora of patients or healthcare workers causes more than half of all infections following clean surgery, but the importance of airborne particles in this setting remains controversial. The use of ultraclean air in operating rooms has been shown to reduce infection rates significantly. High efficiency particlulate air (HEPA) filters are used in some modern operating rooms. Although the uses of HEPA filters, the air quality should be controlled by another device to make safe the air in operating rooms and intensive care units. In this study, a computerized system was established to control the cleanliness of the air by measuring the presence of airborne particles of varying sizes and numbers in operating rooms. When the maximum values are exceeded, the system warns the authorized people by phone, sound, or displays.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗

[Separation of urological tumor cells by means of a cell saver combined with a membrane filter. A new technique for autotransfusion?].

Three long duration cancer cell lines were marked with radioactive methionine S and mixed with a defined quantity of concentrated red cells. The mixture was separated according to a standardized method with cell saver and two membrane filters. The marked cancer cells were counted with a liquid scintillation cell counter. After separation, only 0.027% of the initial radioactivity was retrieved. If this result can be confirmed in a clinical setting, this technique would be highly promising for intraoperative automatic autotransfusions, especially in the field of tumour surgery. Despite the quality of conserved blood, heterotransfusion still involves considerable risk for the receiver.

Blood Transfusion, Autologous↗