Why is AUTOVAC Intraoperative contraindicated for spinal procedures?
Spinal surgeries typically involve several factors that allow high volumes of free hemoglobin in the salvaged blood as a result of damaged or ruptured red blood cells. Therefore the blood is not of a desired quality to return to the patient. Cellular damage can result from contact with foreign surface and the drying of blood under surgical lights. The damaging factors, combined with surgical site debris make intraoperative salvage with AUTOVAC IO specifically contraindicated for spinal and other orthopedic procedures.