What is cell saver
"Cell saver" is a machine which suctions, washes, and filters blood so it can be given back to the patient's body instead of being thrown away (see figure below). In other words, patient receives his own blood. Newer machines have now flexibility of even salvaging less amount of blood loss down to 70 cc.
The cell saver is a viable choice for patients with Jehovah's Witness belief. Literature is full of controversy about its cost effectiveness and efficacy but in surgery with higher "EBL" (estimated blood loss) definitely it is a valuable technology.
See article: Intraoperative blood salvage in vascular surgery – worth the effort? (Critical Care 2004, 8(Suppl 2):S53-S56)
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