To eliminate the need for allogeneic blood transfusion in patients undergoing elective total knee arthroplasty, we established and tried a protocol of combined methods, which is characterized by effectiveness, ease in application, and safety. It is based on perioperative administration of human recombinant erythropoietin plus iron and folic acid, mild acute normovolemic hemodilution, meticulous surgical technique, postoperative blood salvage through a closed-wound drainage system, and lower transfusion triggers.

Sixty-one patients entered the protocol, and the results were retrospectively compared with the ones obtained from 58 consecutive patients who were operated on in the past before the use of any blood saving technique.

Only 5 patients of those who entered the protocol finally needed allogeneic blood transfusion, receiving a total number of 7 units, which is remarkable when compared with the 50 patients before the application of the protocol who required 111 units. Consequently, the utilization of allogeneic blood was reduced by 94%, a statistically quite significant result (P <0,001). We believe the protocol should be included in orthopedic surgeons' alternatives for blood saving in elective total knee arthroplasty.