Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Practice Exam

In what circumstances would cell saver transfusion be contraindicated?

1. Anemic patients

2. Diabetic patients

3. Cancer procedures

4. Orthopedic procedures

The correct answer is: Cancer procedures

Cell saver transfusion, also known as autologous blood transfusion, is a technique where a patient’s blood is collected, processed, and returned to them during or after surgery. While this method can be beneficial in many surgical cases, there are specific situations where it is contraindicated, especially in the context of certain cancers. In the case of cancer procedures, using cell saver transfusion may present risks because it can inadvertently reintroduce malignant cells into the bloodstream. Tumors can shed cells into the circulation, and processing and reinfusing this blood could contribute to disease progression or metastasis. For this reason, in oncological surgeries, particularly where there is a known malignancy, the practice of using a cell saver would typically be avoided to prevent potentially harmful outcomes. The other options do not present inherent contraindications for the use of cell saver transfusion. Anemic patients may benefit from such techniques, as they provide their own blood during surgery, diabetic patients do not have any specific contraindication related to cell saver use, and orthopedic procedures frequently utilize cell saver systems to manage blood loss effectively. Thus, the particular risks associated with cancer procedures mark them as a situation where cell saver transfusion should be approached with caution or avoided altogether.