[Autologous blood transfusion in elective orthopedic surgery]

Despite extensive testing, blood transfusions still involve a minor risk of transmitting infections. Autologous blood transfusions (ABT) are safe in this respect. Within 31 months 145 of 149 patients were enrolled in this hospital's ABT program, the majority with planned total hip replacement. The mean age of the patients was 68.5 years. 72 patients donated 3 and 52 patients 2 units of blood, while 21 patients donated 1 unit. In 70 of the 145 patients (48%) the blood losses were covered by autologous blood. Of the 72 patients who donated 3 units, 50 (69%) did not depend on homologous blood. We observed only minor side effects in patients enrolled in the program. The establishment of an ABT program does not require complicated logistics, and almost every patient awaiting elective surgery is eligible for ABT.