Bloodmanagement

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Cell Salvaging

During major surgical interventions and in the first few hours after surgery a patient may lose a considerable amount of blood due to the procedure. Upon exiting the vascular system and through contact with the tissues in the operative field the coagulation of blood will be triggered and a cascade of biochemical reactions follows. Because of this the blood lost is unsuited for re-transfusion.

Within this volume of lost blood many viable red blood cells remain. These cells are preferably returned to the patient to maintain an adequate oxygen transport capacity of the patient's blood. This can be done by collecting the lost blood immediately together with an anticoagulant. The collected blood is than filtered and processed by means of a so called ‘cell salvage device’ more commonly known as a ‘cell saver’. These devices concentrate the red blood cells and wash-out the activated and damaged components, returning an end-product suitable for re-transfusion. This end product, a red blood cell concentrate, is superior in quality to donor blood products and eliminates the risks involved with using donor blood products.

The necessity of using donor blood products during or after major surgery will be reduced and in many cases even prohibited.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Plateletgel (PF) Therapies

Platelets are crucial in wound healing. Besides playing a role in the primary haemostatic process they release upon activation a diversity of growth factors. These growth factors play a central role in repairing tissue defects. Growth-factors are special proteins that are at the centre of modulating the inflammatory reaction, cell division, cell differentiation, angiogenesis, protein transcription, chemotaxis and have collagenic activity.

Using a blood component concentration device it is possible to separate the buffy-coat of a drawn volume of 50 ml’s patient blood to produce a sufficient amount of end product. This product contains a platelet and white blood cell count that far exceeds normal quantities. The product can be used locally in the treatment area and optionally be activated with autologous thrombin, also produced from the drawn volume of patient blood. The applied product will stimulate wound healing, formation of new blood vessels, regeneration of bone and cartilage tissue en improve wound healing in general.

These treatment modalities can be used, amongst others, in:

Cardiac Surgery:
 - Sternal re-fixation;
 - Wound healing at venectomy site.

Orthopaedics and sports medicine:
 - spondylodesis;
 - Hip revision;
 - Pseudo-arthrosis;
 - Knee, elbow and shoulder operation;
 - Tendonitis;
 - Achilles heel injuries.

Dermatology:
 - Chronic wound healing;
 - Venous ulcerations;
 - Diabetic feet ulcerations;
 - Decubitus wound healing.

Also within general surgery, plastic surgery and urology there are a range of possible applications of the technique.

Bloodmanagement program

Apart from delivering the above-mentioned services we can also advise and support in setting up a blood management program of your own and provide training for personnel involved.