Rainaldi 1998.

Methods	Participants undergoing Caesarean section were randomly allocated to one of two groups. The method of randomisation is not described. The method of allocation concealment is not described. The blinding status of study participants, personnel, and outcome assessors is not described.
Participants	68 women undergoing Caesarean section were randomly allocated to one of two groups: Group 1 (Autotransfusion): N = 34. Mean (range) age 33.6 (22 to 43). Mean (SD) body weight 73.3 (12.8) kg Group 2 (Control): N = 34. Mean (range) age 31.9 (16 to 41). Mean (SD) body weight 71.6(10.5) kg The authors do not comment on whether there were any between‐group differences at baseline. Participants included in the study underwent Caesarean section for both elective and emergency indications. No subgroup data are available for participants who underwent elective Caesarean section.
Interventions	Group 1 (Autotransfusion): blood was salvaged intraoperatively using the Dideco machine (Mirandola, Modena, Italy). Blood salvage was started following extraction of the fetoplacental unit. Aspirated blood was mixed with anticoagulant solution and transferred to a reservoir via a 40‐micron filter. It was then centrifuged and washed with isotonic solution. Group 2 (Control): participants in the control group did not have cell salvage used.
Outcomes	Outcomes reported: exposure to homologous red blood cells (RBCs), amount of blood salvaged, mean packed cell volume of reinfused RBCs, mean postoperative haemoglobin concentrations 3 hours after surgery and on days 1, 2, 3 and 4, postoperative complications, duration of hospital stay
Notes	Transfusion protocol: a transfusion protocol is not described. Prospective registration status: it is not clear whether the study was prospectively registered. Ethical approval: the study was approved by the ethics committee of the hospital. Language: the study is published in English. Reason for awaiting classification status: participants included in the study underwent Caesarean section for both elective and emergency indications. No subgroup data are available for participants who underwent elective Caesarean section.