[Experience with a preoperative autologous blood donation program at a university clinic]

We started our preoperative autologous blood donation program in January 1987, comprising orthopedic, cardiological and gynecological patients with prospective perioperative homologous blood requirements. The safety and practicability of our program could be improved by a precise definition of organizational procedures and the development of a special EDP program. The number of patients/units of autologous blood increased from 35/85 in 1987 to 68/260 in 1988 and will reach approximately 120/500 in 1989. Severe side effects did not occur during that period, 72% of the autologous units were transfused, 80% of the patients did not need additional homologous blood transfusions. Considering unsolved problems of homologous blood transfusions, further development of preoperative autologous blood programs is necessary.