Techniques of Bloodless Surgery

Bloodless surgery is now the preferred method among the medical community for the treatment of most cases. Over the last 20 years, the field has advanced to such a degree that there are many alternatives available to blood transfusions. It is also growing in popularity with patients.

With the medical risks of receiving blood transfusions now clearly not enough to justify their use, and approximately 7 million people worldwide who object to them on religious grounds, the medical community realised the essential need for alternatives. Now, not only are these alternatives offered, but they are encouraged by the medical community for all patients. So what are some of these alternatives available?

The University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey was one of the first hospitals in the U.S. to offer bloodless surgery. Their website (www.theuniversityhospital.com) lists several techniques and methods of bloodless surgery along with explanations of the proceedures. Some of these are explained below.

If a patient is aware that they will require surgery ahead of time, a little planning ahead can make a big difference when it comes to bloodless surgery. Erythropoieten and iron can be injected into the bone marrow prior to surgery to stimulate the production of red blood cells. These can also be used during and after surgery to compensate for the occurance of blood loss during the operation.

New technology exists that allows for multiple tests to be performed on only one blood sample. This eliminates the need for excessive drawing in patients who have requested bloodless surgery and results in less over-all loss.

Blood loss can also be minimised by doctors who are willing to be more cautious and precise during the proceedures. The better and more careful the surgeon, the better surgery and the quicker recovery time for the patient and the less likelihood of the use of blood products. The choice of instrumentation is very important since immediate clamping or cauterizing of bleeding vessels is essential. Electrocautery, surgical lasers, and argon beam coagulators are among the instruments commonly used. Minimally invasive surgical techniques are also vital.

In the event of blood loss during surgery several things can be done to restore volume in the body. The amount of blood in the body is not as important as keeping the blood vessels open. This can be done by infusing a saline solution which will keep blood vessels open until the body can replenish the blood itself. A technique commonly called "cell saver" can be used to keep the patient's blood in constant circulation and restoring it to the body by collecting blood that spills in the chest or abdominal cavity, filtering it, and re-infusing it in a continuous process. Hemodilution involves the drawing of blood, immediately followed by infusion of intravenous fluids to replace the missing blood. Any blood lost during the surgery is diluted by the intravenous fluid and resulting in less loss of actual blood. At the same time, the blood that was drawn is slowly returned in a continuous circuit that is linked to the patient's circulatory system, thereby replacing the lost blood.

Also, there are patches which can be used inside the body to literally patch up bleeding vessels and cuts. Thus, blood loss can be minimised by stopping it immediately at its source.

Patients who opt for bloodless surgery routinely recover more quickly and have fewer complications than those who receive blood transfusions. Bloodless surgery erases the risk of life-threatening blood borne diseases and other side effects. The medical comminity agrees that it is time to rethink conventional wisdom and avoid blood transfusions. The field of bloodless surgery has now advanced so much that even the most complicated surgeries can be performed, including organ transplants and the treatment of cancers of the blood. Bloodless surgery represents the absolute highest standard in medical care.