[Use of blood salvage machine in oncologic surgeries: a clinical observation of 13 cases].

Objective: To evaluate the effects on blood sparing and risk of hematogenous tumor dissemination of the use of blood salvage machine in oncologic surgeries.

Methods: The clinical data of 13 patients, 6 with malignant tumors and 7 with benign tumors, who received the use of blood salvage machine during oncologic surgeries based on informed consent, were analyzed.

Results: In total 42,575 ml of packed red blood cells were collected during surgery with a mean value of 3 275 ml (400 - 1500 ml) per patient. The average amount of allogenic transfusion per patient was 1 530 ml (0 - 8,000 ml). The number of blood salvage machine use in oncologic surgeries accounted for 8.6% (13/152) of the total number of blood salvage machine use in surgeries in that period. The perioperative mortality rate of the oncologic surgeries with the use of blood salvage machine was 7.7% (1/13). The post-operative metastasis rate of liver and lung was 15.4% (2/13).

Conclusion: The use of blood salvage machine during oncologic surgeries improves the blood sparing effect. However, it cannot be used routinely, since it may result in hematogenous tumor cell dissemination.