Findings and Conclusion To our knowledge , this is the first meta- analysis to compare the clinical results between PAT and a control in joint replacement patients .
This meta- analysis has proven that the use of a PAT reinfusion system reduced significantly the dem and for ABT , the number of patients who require ABT and the cost of hospitalization after total knee and hip arthroplasty .
This study , together with other previously published data , suggests that PAT drains are beneficial .
Background Total hip or knee arthroplasty is an elective procedure that is usually accompanied by substantial blood loss , which may lead to acute anemia .
As a result , almost half of total joint arthroplasty patients receive allogeneic blood transfusions ( ABT ) .
Many studies have shown that post-operative auto-transfusion ( PAT ) significantly reduces the need for  ABT  , but other studies have question ed the efficacy of this method .
A prospective randomised controlled trial of autologous retransfusion in total knee replacement.
We undertook a prospect i ve r and omised controlled trial to investigate the efficacy of autologous retransfusion drains in reducing the need for allogenic blood requirement  after unilateral total knee replacement . We also monitored the incidence of post-operative complications . There were 86 patients in the control group , receiving st and ard care with a vacuum drain , and 92 who received an autologous drain and were retransfused postoperatively .  Following serial haemoglobin measurements at 24 , 48 and 72 hours , we found no difference in the need for allogenic blood between the two groups ( control group 15.1 % , retransfusion group 13 % ( p = 0.439 ) ) . The incidence of post-operative complications , such as wound infection , deep-vein thrombosis and chest infection , was also comparable between the groups . There were no adverse reactions associated with the retransfusion of autologous blood . Based on this study , the cost-effectiveness and continued use of autologous drains in total knee replacement should be question ed
Findings and Conclusion To our knowledge , this is the first meta- analysis to compare the clinical results between PAT and a control in joint replacement patients .
This meta- analysis has proven that the use of a PAT reinfusion system reduced significantly the dem and for ABT , the number of patients who require ABT and the cost of hospitalization after total knee and hip arthroplasty .
This study , together with other previously published data , suggests that PAT drains are beneficial .
Background Total hip or knee arthroplasty is an elective procedure that is usually accompanied by substantial blood loss , which may lead to acute anemia .
As a result , almost half of total joint arthroplasty patients receive allogeneic blood transfusions ( ABT ) .
Many studies have shown that post-operative auto-transfusion ( PAT ) significantly reduces the need for  ABT  , but other studies have question ed the efficacy of this method .