Drains are used commonly after intensive surgical procedures, often after joint replacement surgery. These drains prevent blood from collecting in the surgical site in the hours and days after surgery.
How is a drain used?
Most surgical drains used in orthopedic procedures, such as joint replacement, have a tube inserted into the surgical site. The drain funnels blood into a reservoir. Drains are usually kept in place for a day or two, sometimes longer in specific situations.
How is the blood transfused back into the patient?
If a sufficient amount of blood is collected after surgery, and the proper type of drain is being used, the blood can be transfused back into the patient's circulatory system. The blood is filtered, and connected to an intravenous line, and administered back into the patient.
Are there reasons not to use this salvaged blood?
Reinfusing drain site blood is not recommended in some circumstances. If the surgery was performed to treat a suspected infection, malignancy, or if the patient has a known blood disorder, this type of reinfusion of blood is not recommended.
Drain site blood salvage is most appropriate in patients who are likely to require a transfusion, such as those patients having revision joint replacement surgery. I do not use this blood salvage technology as a standard treatment in joint replacement, as I find most patients do not need any extra blood after routine joint replacement surgery. If you are interested in post-operative blood salvage, ask your doctor.
Sources:
Ayers DC, Murray DG, Duerr DM. "Blood salvage after total hip arthroplasty" J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1995 Sep;77(9):1347-51.
