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 .
The utility of the perioperative autologous transfusion system OrthoPAT® in total hip replacement surgery: a prospective study
Background Total hip replacement ( THR ) is associated with a significant perioperative blood loss , and 30–50 % of these patients receive allogeneic blood transfusion ( ABT ) . We evaluated the clinical utility of washed shed blood ( WSB ) return to reduce ABT in THR patients . Study design and methods Data from 108 consecutive THR patients were prospect ively collected .  WSB salvage and reinfusion ( OrthoPAT ) was intended for 60 ( Reinfusion group ) , whereas the remaining 48 patients served as control group . Patients received ABT if haemoglobin < 8 g/dl or clinical signs and symptoms of acute anemia . Results WSB return was possible in 49 patients ( 205 ± 151 ml of erythrocyte/patient ) , without any clinical ly relevant incident . Return of WSB decreased both the ABT rate ( 48 vs. 15 % , for control and reinfusion groups , respectively ; P = 0.001 ) and the ABT index ( 371 ± 154 ml RBC vs. 53 ± 117 ml RBC , respectively ; P = 0.001 ) , without differences between cemented and uncemented THR . In addition , patients from reinfusion group showed a trend to lower postoperative infection rate ( 10 vs. 2 % , respectively ; P = 0.086 ) . Conclusions Perioperative salvage and return of WSB in THR seems to effectively reduce the requirements for ABT . However , for patients with preoperative Hb < 13 g/dl , some additional blood saving method should be associated to WSB return
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 .