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  • surgery in 2 weeks - blood question

    (David's scheduled for posterior fusion surgery on Dec. 12, probably T-4 to T-11 to correct 68* thoracic. Also has 50+* compensatory lumbar curve and a compensatory cervical curve.)

    Everything I've read on scoliosis surgery says blood donation, blood banking, etc. But our surgeon at TSRH told us it wouldn't be necessary, they just filter and re-use the patient's blood. I've not encountered that anywhere else. Not that I don't completely trust him, I do, but I'm sort of a "belt and suspenders" person - I like to be prepared and have backup available. David is very thin and now at this point wouldn't be able to donate his own blood, anyway. We all have the same blood type (well, I'm pretty sure...it's been a while since I've had to know that) - but I'm currently on anti-coagulants to treat blood clots and may have some clotting disorder - that might rule me out as a possible donor for David. My husband is more or less healthy and they could get a pint from him if needed...daughter will still be taking finals in college, so she won't join us until after the surgery.

    So, what's your experience with blood issues in surgery?
    Son, David, age 16 1/2, had T-5 to T-11 fusion/instrumentation surgery at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital Dec. 12, '05 to hold major curve
    Diagnosed Feb. '03, T36*, L28*
    Boston TLSO brace
    May '03 T44*, L36*
    July '04 T54*, L45* d/c brace, not holding curves
    June '05 T68*, L48*
    Initial post-surgery estimate T55*, L45*

  • #2
    So many things to think about huh? Jamie donated two units of blood (the doctor requested four but she was only able to give two) and they used both of them in the O.R. Her doctor didn't recycle her own blood and I'm not sure why, but I wouldn't worry about it too much, David's surgery should be much shorter than Jamie's so he might not even need any additional blood during the surgery. If they find he needs blood after the surgery, you could always ask about your husband donating at that time.

    Mary Lou

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    • #3
      blood donation

      Hi! My daughter's surgery was a year ago, and she donated two units of her own blood (8 hour surgery), and ended up needing only one unit. But since her surgery, our hospital now does "recycled" blood, which I heard is working out fine! Pat

      Comment


      • #4
        That's very encouraging to hear! And I'm glad to know another facility is taking this approach ("recycling"). Even if I have all the confidence in the world in our surgeon and TSRH, I thought it odd that I hadn't run across any other mention of recycling blood.

        Thanks for the info!
        SanD
        Son, David, age 16 1/2, had T-5 to T-11 fusion/instrumentation surgery at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital Dec. 12, '05 to hold major curve
        Diagnosed Feb. '03, T36*, L28*
        Boston TLSO brace
        May '03 T44*, L36*
        July '04 T54*, L45* d/c brace, not holding curves
        June '05 T68*, L48*
        Initial post-surgery estimate T55*, L45*

        Comment


        • #5
          S&D,
          Even though I'm an adult, I thought I would answer your question about "recycling" blood. The machine is called a "cell saver". As the doc is operating, blood is syphined off and out of the area being operated on. This blood is channeled thru the cell saver and re directed into the patients body, thus "recycled".

          I noticed that you said that your husband is "more or less" healthy. He would be able to donate is he is compatible with your child. But if he has heart problems/diabetes/RA or several other chronic dieases he would not be able to donate. If your daughter is over 18 and compatible she would be able to donate. The other reason for family donation is finanical. Blood and blood products are very expensive. If your daughter donated at her local blood bank and specifically requested that her blood be donated towards her brother's account it would be, even though he may not recieve the actual blood.
          SandyC

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          • #6
            Thanks, SandyC -

            (I'm Sandy, too)
            Husband is just on blood pressure medication, otherwise checked out fine (well, weight, but we won't go there!). Daughter away at college is 20 and usually weighs 95 - 102, probably on the low end right now because she loses weight when she's stressed (and I gain what she loses).

            I'll ask more questions at TSRH when we go next week for pre-op. I'm not sure if blood is needed during surgery if that's covered under their charity or if that would go to our insurance. Since we were referred to TSRH two years ago there's been no charge for any of their services (what a blessing!). However, we've kept our insurance busy - and unhappy, it seems - with several expensive, non-orthopedic issues, so I'd better write this question down for financial as well as medical reasons.

            SanD
            Son, David, age 16 1/2, had T-5 to T-11 fusion/instrumentation surgery at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital Dec. 12, '05 to hold major curve
            Diagnosed Feb. '03, T36*, L28*
            Boston TLSO brace
            May '03 T44*, L36*
            July '04 T54*, L45* d/c brace, not holding curves
            June '05 T68*, L48*
            Initial post-surgery estimate T55*, L45*

            Comment


            • #7
              SanD - Crystal didn't donate any blood of her own because she had pneumonia that winter and in the hospital and we were just trying to keep her healthy for surgery. She has severe asthma and a little cold can set her on a whirl wind. They recycled her blood and she didn't need any from the blood bank. I felt very reassured when they told me how safe the blood was. If your son should need blood, the insurance may get billed for it, but then TSRH should absorb the rest of the cost. They may do the same for pre-op lab work, etc. I about choked when I got a claim notice from the insurance on about $1,500 that they didn't cover on the blood work for Crystal. I called the hospital and they said that they pick up the rest of it. But, do double check on that, you don't want any surprises. I love the Scottish Rite Hospitals and Shrine Hospitals, because there is never any surprises with them.

              I do understand the part of expensive and non-orthodic uses of insurance. Crystal was in the hospital last Thanksgiving with pneumonia, and then the beginning of this month she was in for kidney stones. I am glad we are on a group policy, therefore they can't cancel her insurance on us.

              SandyC- Thank you for the info on the blood "recycling". It is nice to understand it now.

              'til later,
              Nikki

              Comment


              • #8
                it always strikes me as interesting, the differences between hospitals worldwide. here in the uk the attitude is very much that a patient donating their own blood prior to surgery is futile and could potentially weaken the patient. i would never, ever worry about receiving blood from the uk because i know how rigorously tested it is. about a month before i had surgery i went to give blood (not because i was asked, because i wanted to. my conscience suddenly became aware that i may need blood, and i wanted to try and help out other people) they asked me a million questions and i gave blood then they sent me a letter saying due to a flaw in their machines (not the blood i had given) they couldn't use it

                as it happens, i lost hardly any blood during surgery (partly due to only being down there for 2 hours) but i really wouldn't worry about giving blood, especially as you say your son is very thin. like nikki said, you want to have the best possible chance of coming through surgery positively and to do that you have to be as strong as possible
                diagnosed aged 14 (2001)
                braced from july 2001 to february 2003 to hold curves
                fused T11-L3 on july 16th 2005 (aged 18)
                Discharged by surgeon july 11th 2007 (aged 20 and almost 2 years post-op)
                scoliosis support forum

                Comment


                • #9
                  S&d
                  Our Surgeon Wanted A Pint Of Blood For Nicole Surgery. He Did Filtered And Reused Her Blood During The Surgery. Her Surgery Was 5 1/2 Hour Posterior Shes Fused For T-4 To L-1.

                  My Nicole Couldn't Donation Blood For Herself. She Was Too Small And Only Weighted 74 Pounds. I Wasn't Able To Donation For Her Either Due To Health Iusses. My Husband Donation A Pint For Nicole. She Was Given This After Surgery In The Picu.
                  Theresa
                  THERESA

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    My son will be donating 2 units of blood for his surgery. We were told that the blood bank does not bill insurance so we will have to pay ($270 per unit) and our insurance (BlueCross) will reimburse us. If we were to have family, etc. donate for Joseph there would be a 1-time fee of $45 and that would cover everyone who donated in his name. You would think they would charge less to donate your own blood, but then again it I guess it helps the blood bank to get more blood (and blood types) then will be needed for the actual surgery.

                    Renee

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      SanD - I forgot to mention that Shriner's told us that if Crystal did donate blood, it was only good for 30 days and then they have to get rid of it. So, if for any reason that your son's surgery is rescheduled, Crystal's was rescheduled once, he would have to donate again if it was outside that 30 day window. When you work with Shriners and Scottish Rite Hospitals, there is always the possibility of a reschedule because a child in more need, life and death situation, may need a surgery spot immediately. So, be sure to ask about the 30 day window. I'd call the doctor's nurse and ask her today, then you have that answer right away.

                      Nikki

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Blood Transfusions

                        Hi all!!! I just saw what you posted about blood transfusions. Having blood on hand is an absolute must. I almost needed a transfusion during surgery even with my refiltered blood. My friend who also had the surgery did need a transfusion. Also don't be fooled just because you don't need a transfusion right during the surgery does not mean that you will not need one at some point during the hospital stay. I would reccomend having blood on hand!

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                        • #13
                          I had a message to call TSRH for some pre-op info when I got home this evening, so when I return the call tomorrow I'll see if I can ask some questions regarding blood. At this point it won't be David's blood - he's too underweight.

                          David passed out at school today - completely out ("they made a big deal out of it"). His dad was closer to the high school so he got him to the doctor immediately. Looks like it was low blood sugar, but Dr. said there could be a virus along with it. David was very low-energy and mopey all weekend - more so than usual.

                          I WILL ask about blood - I'm sure they're required to have some on standby since it's major surgery, but I want to be sure and not have doubts.

                          Nerve-wracking...
                          SanD
                          Son, David, age 16 1/2, had T-5 to T-11 fusion/instrumentation surgery at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital Dec. 12, '05 to hold major curve
                          Diagnosed Feb. '03, T36*, L28*
                          Boston TLSO brace
                          May '03 T44*, L36*
                          July '04 T54*, L45* d/c brace, not holding curves
                          June '05 T68*, L48*
                          Initial post-surgery estimate T55*, L45*

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Sorry to hear about your son. I hope he will be healthy enough for surgery when the time comes. We got hit pretty hard with strep throat in our family - all three kids one after the other and Joseph (my surgery boy) had a relapse so he was on antibiotics for over two weeks. I'm crossing my fingers that we stay healthy as well as wiping, cleaning & disinfecting everything in site. I think I just read a post today where someone mentioned keeping their child home (and tutored) for 1 to 2 weeks prior to surgery. Maybe your sons school would allow something like this, at least he would have a chance to rest prior to surgery and minimize his exposure to all the viruses going around right now.

                            Renee

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              SandD, We kept our daughter home for three weeks before surgery. Our school had an incredible virus going around and she has severe asthma and catches any little cold that comes along. Do check on keeping your son home. He will need all the strength he can muster to get through surgery. Explain his current medical condition, and since he passed out at school they already know his problem, and see if they can help out with the problem. Our school was more than cooperative and even sent a tutor at no cost to us. Surgery dates can be hard to come by sometimes, so you don't want to miss this. The internal mental stress of upcoming surgery could of contributed to the problem too.

                              Let us know how things go.

                              Nikki

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