[Practical aspects of mechanical autotransfusion in tumor surgery in a decentralized clinic]

The surveys of Hansen et al. demonstrated the safe inactivation of tumor cells in salvaged blood by g-irradiation. This method opens up the possibility of extending the intraoperative autotransfusion to tumour surgery. A prospective survey at the University Hospital of Leipzig demonstrated the practicability of intraoperative autotransfusion with gamma-irradiation of salvaged blood at a hospital with a decentralized structure. A clinically-relevant reduction of quality of the blood product by gamma-irradiation with 50 Gray or by transport was not observed. Adherence to fixed working regulations ensures that gamma-irradiation is conducted correctly and the salvaged erythrocyte concentrate is available in an acceptable period of time.