A new study published in Spine examines the cost-effectiveness of cell saver in short-segment lumbar laminectomy and fusion.
The researchers examined procedures for one to three levels. There were 508 patients who met the criteria for the study. Patients were reviewed from a prospective outcomes registry, and cost information for Cell Saver and allogeneic transfusions was collected from the institution's billing and collections department.
Here are five key notes from the study:
1. Cell Saver use correlated with:
• Older age
• High body mass index
• Diabetes
• Greater American Society of Anesthesiologist classification
• More previous spine surgeries
2. The outcomes for patients that didn't have Cell Saver set up intraoperatively were equivocal.
3. Cell Saver wasn't cost-effective based on the institution's usage patterns during the study. However, the researchers found it could become cost-effective if used for patients with high expected blood loss.
4. The researchers proposed a simple clinical prediction rule to help select patients for Cell Saver intraoperatively.
5. There are no universal guidelines for clinicians using Cell Saver in the lumbar spine. Cell Saver used for intraoperative cell salvage can decrease the reliance on allogeneic blood transfusions for blood volume replacement.