By definition, transfusion-free surgery is surgical treatment without the use of banked (stored) allogeneic (from a donor other than the patient) blood or primary blood components. Blood loss often occurs during surgery. A bloodless program tries to minimize blood loss by utilizing special blood conservation methods.

By choosing the transfusion-free approach, you avoid the risk of infection with HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and other diseases associated with donated blood. You also reduce the risk of rare negative side effects that may be associated with some transfusions. This can enhance your body’s natural ability to fight infection and disease, which in turn, can shorten recovery time and speed healing.

Transfusion-Free Expertise

Transfusion-free medicine is a focus for Vaughn A. Starnes, M.D., professor and chair of the department of cardiothoracic surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. He first gained experience in transfusion-free techniques during his training at Stanford University. In the past few years, he has helped make “bloodless” surgery an emphasis at USC University Hospital.

Advanced Skills and Technology

Various alternatives to blood transfusions have been made possible through advances in medical and surgical techniques and technology. Blood loss can be minimized through:

• Using lasers rather than scalpels
• Using cellsavers during surgery to collect, recirculate and readminister the patient's own blood
• Enhancing circulation of the patient's own blood during surgery by using volume expanders or intravenous fluids
• Tracking oxygen levels during surgery with skin monitors
• Speeding blood clotting during surgery with an argon beam coagulator
• Stimulating bone marrow to produce red blood cells in advance of a procedure
• Utilizing intraoperative hypotension anesthesia to lower blood pressure during surgery, minimizing bleeding