[Autologous blood transfusion in breast reduction]

Minimal risk blood transfusion is possible using autologous blood. When excessive blood loss is expected in reduction mammaplasty, autologous blood transfusion is recommended. Only three of eighty-one patients who underwent reduction mammaplasty in our department received homologous blood transfusions. Patients suffering from glandular hypertrophy are likely to loose significantly more blood during operation than patients with predominantly fatty breast tissue. Autologous blood transfusion should be recommended in cases of excessive breast hypertrophy, in patients afraid of transfusion-associated infections, and for forensic reasons.