Until recently, it was not easy to conduct intraoperative autotransfusion in children due to technical limitations, however, due to advanced technology this is now possible. This study was conducted to determine if the intraoperative use of the continuous autotransfusion system (CATS®) can reduce homologous transfusion during pediatric orthopaedic surgery.

Fifty-five children scheduled for elective orthopaedic surgery were reviewed and divided into two groups according to the availability of the CATS®. The control group (n = 29) had surgery without the cell saver, whereas the CATS® group (n = 26) had surgery with the cell saver. The amounts of perioperative homologous transfusion were then compared between the two groups.

The amount of homologous blood transfusion required during the operation was significantly less in the CATS® group 5 ± 10 (ml/kg) than in the control group 15 ± 13 (ml/kg) (P < 0.01). There was no difference in the amount of homologous blood transfusion required after operation between the groups.

CATS® can reduce the need for intraoperative homologous transfusion during pediatric orthopaedic surgery.