Autotransfusion System (AutoLog IQ) use in liposuction: a retrospective case-control study

Justification: Liposuction represents 15.4% of all surgical procedures, with mortality rates of 0.38-0.55 per 1000 procedures. Blood loss and anemia are related to mortality and fluid replacement lowers hemoglobin drop. Objective: To perform a retrospective case-control study to evaluate the autotransfusion system (Autolog IQ) use in lipoplasty. Methodology: Patients’ from the Instituto Mineiro de Cirurgia Plástica (Belo Horizonte) who had surgery in July-August 2023 had their medical charts evaluated. In the intervention group, fat removal and collection, with posterior washing was process in the Autolog IQ. The Autolog IQ, through a centrifugation process, spares and collects viable red blood cells, enabling autotransfusion. R Studio was used for statistical analysis. Results: 36 patients were included, of which 19 (52.8%) used Autolog with median blood infusion of 1031.93ml (n=15). The Autolog group had higher aspirated volume (4881.58±2287.6ml, range: 2000-11600ml versus 3761.76ml±1344.38ml, range: 2000-6200ml) and body weight aspirated volume (6.78%±2.9%, range: 2.94%-11.88% versus 5.47%±1.77%, range: 3.47%-8.49%). No statistical significance was found in: surgery time (p=0.95); diuresis (p=0.19); Hemoglobin (p=0.19), platelets (p=0.46), serum iron (p=0.64), ferritin (p=0.9), and prothrombin response (p=0.54); pain scale (p=0.29), seroma (p=0.89) and its volume (p=0.07); necrosis and thrombophlebitis (p=0.31); dehiscence (p=0.26); epidermolysis and infection (p=0.45). There was no statistical significance in subgroups analysis. Conclusion: No statistical difference was observed between the groups for clinical and laboratory outcomes. The difference in aspirated volume between groups may have increased heterogeneity.