Cell Saver
Helping the advancement of safer tumour surgery
We’re excited to announce that our latest donation is going to help veterinary oncology surgeons minimise patient blood loss during complex and challenging tumour removals. Rumba has donated £15,000 to purchase a Cell Saver unit for FROST
- the Oncology and Soft Tissue Hospital of Fitzpatrick Referrals.
Excessive blood loss during animal cancer operations can be a major problem for surgeons because blood transfusions carry significant challenges. There is a scarcity of blood replacement products due to the shortage of donors. Also, blood received from another patient can produce a transfusion reaction causing the new blood cells to be destroyed immediately.
In human surgery, blood transfusions have been revolutionised by the use of Cell Saver units, which collect and save the patient’s own blood. The unit cleans the harvested blood before redelivering it back to the patient.
Rumba Foundation’s founding Trustees, Jim and Fiona Hindle said: “We understand how surgery that originally seemed very achievable can suddenly become life-threatening due to persistent bleeding. We know that use of Cell Saver units is still a rarity in veterinary practice, so we’re delighted that our donation will be able to make such a valuable difference at such a critical moment in the surgery.”
The Cell Saver will be used during those procedures where excessive blood is being produced or where surgeons can expect a lot of bleeding to occur.
Professor Nick Bacon, Clinical Director, Oncologic & Soft Tissue Surgery at Fitzpatrick Referrals, said: “We’re so pleased that patients will be able to benefit from the Cell Saver in some of our most challenging tumour operations. We’re also excited that the lessons learnt will be contributing to the advancement and knowledge within the rapidly-developing field of auto-blood-transfusion in pets and humans who are undergoing cancer surgery.”
“If this story has inspired you to make a contribution to help fund our next life-enhancing purchase, you can donate here.
Your gift will be enormously appreciated.”