Abstract
SUMMARYIn cancer surgery there is high and ever increasing demand for blood. Transfusion‐related immunomodulation induced by the allogeneic barrier and by storage lesions with an increased risk of postoperative infections and tumor recurrence, is of particular bearing in this patient group. Intraoperative cell salvage is contraindicated as confirmed by the demonstration of vital tumor cells in the shed blood. Sensitive detection techniques have shown that leukocyte depletion filters are of limited capacity in reducing the number of tumor cells in. In contrast, a 12‐log reduction in proliferating cells is to be expected from a 50 Gy gamma irradiation, and has been experimentally confirmed. The safety of irradiation of fresh, unstored RBCs is demonstrated by minimal hemolysis, normal levels of 2,3‐DPG and ATP, and by a 24‐hour survival rate exceeding that of the venous control. Cell salvage with blood irradiation is a practical method allowing effective saving of blood in cancer surgery.
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