text: can cystectomy be performed with blood salvage machine without contaminating blood?   it can be used during certain parts of the operation (and is quite frequently).  if the cystectomy is being done for bladder cancer and there is any worry about disease through the wall of the bladder or within the abdomen, the recaptured blood may not be usable.  by definition, the "cell saver" really filters the heck out of salvaged blood - but there are limits and unknowns.  strict criteria are used for what can be given back to a patient and what cannot.    if religious beliefs do not allow you to receive a transfusion it may be your only option, many hospitals have, or are affiliated with bloodless surgery programs - ask you doc about them.     if it is fear of transmission of blood borne disease - you need to talk with your surgeon about the real statistics - the risks are not as great as the risk of blood loss that may require the use of blood products.  best wishes -