[Blood reinfusion in acute blood loss during urologic surgery]

In massive blood loss (1,000-4,900 ml) during operations on the kidneys and prostate in 42 patients, 900 to 3,600 ml of blood was reinfused. Thirty-seven (88.1%) patients recovered. Fatal outcomes in 5 cases were caused by complications of the principal and concomitant diseases and were unrelated to blood reinfusion. Study of the morphological, biochemical, and coagulation properties of the patients' blood showed gradual restoration of hemostatic values and no harmful effect of the reinfusion on the organism. The authors claim that blood reinfusion can be undertaken in operations on the kidneys and prostate when there are vital indications. Kidney tumors are a relative contraindication for reinfusion. Blood reinfusion is not indicated in purulent diseases of the kidneys.