In a longitudinal study, serum protein levels were determined by more
than 1200 radial immunodiffusion assays in fifty pediatric scoliotic
patients whose blood replacement during spine fusion was provided by
predeposition autotransfusion. Several serial samples of serum were
obtained at intervals from the time of admission through surgery and
discharge and they were examined for eight serum proteins: IgG, IgA, IgM,
albumin, transferrin, C3c (B1A globulin), beta-lipoprotein, and
alpha2-macroglobulin. The results indicated that neither the three
phlebotomies performed to obtain predeposition autologuus blood for
reinfusion nor the loss of blood during surgery resulted in significant
alteration of any of the serum protein levels at the sampling times tested.
The greatest decreases in the serum concentrations of all eight proteins
were observed during the early postoperative recovery period.