Hospital Techniques Used for ‘Blood-Free’ Surgery

The following are techniques used in “blood-free” surgery at Midwood Hospital. All or some of the techniques are used depending on the general health of the individual patient, including the severity of anemia, and the potential for extensive bleeding.

Adding an abundance of fluid to the patient’s blood to increase the efficiency of the heart, a process known as hyperbolemic hemodilution. The process also dilutes the blood so that if there is bleeding, the patient will not lose as many red blood cells, which supply oxygen to vital body organs. It also reduces the possibility of post-operative blood clots.

Dropping blood pressure with the use of drugs and deep anesthesia, called hypotensive anesthesia.

Hypothermia: Lowering body temperature.

Aggressive external and internal patient monitoring, including the use of an arterial catheter monitor to check blood pressure, an intrapulmonary catheter to measure heart and lung functions and fluid balance, and skin oxygen monitors.

Use of a cell saver, a machine that siphons off any bleeding from a surgical cavity, cleans the blood and returns it to the patient’s circulation system.

Quick and meticulous surgery techniques including laser, which evaporates tumors rather than cutting them, and an electric knife that simultaneously cuts and cauterizes blood vessels to stop bleeding. Also extensive use of stapling, rather than suturing, to increase speed of the surgery and lessen blood loss.