[A questionnaire study about perioperative blood transfusion]

Red blood cell concentrates in mannitol-adenine-phosphate, autologous blood transfusion, type & screen (T & S), maximum surgical blood order schedule (MSBOS), and a new guideline have been introduced in blood transfusion. To know the present state of perioperative blood transfusion, we did a questionnaire study.

A questionnaire was sent to anesthesia departments of 1,600 hospitals.

Six hundred and fifty hospitals (40.6%) returned the answers. Informed consent is obtained for blood transfusion in every case in 89.8%. Blood loss volume is the most popular indicator to start blood transfusion. Hemoglobin 8 g.dl-1 and hematocrit 25% are also the indicators to start blood transfusion. As an autologous blood transfusion, predeposited (PAT) is the most commonly used. Even when expected blood loss is 3,000 ml, more than 80% of the respondents do not prepare whole blood. Radiation of blood preparation before transfusion is performed in 89.8%. Only half of the hospitals carry out T & S and/or MSBOS. A new guideline is thought to be inadequate in more than 20%.

A questionnaire study indicates that autologous blood transfusion, radiation, leukocyte depletion, T & S, and MSBOS are introduced in our practice. Whole blood is not used, but a new guideline seems to be inadequate.