[Intraoperative autotransfusion of traumatic hemoperitoneum in emergency surgery]

The système à lavage globulaire was used for intraoperative auto-transfusion of adult patients with traumatic hemoperitoneum. This method provides a rapid supply of blood of large amount and of quality superior to that supplied by a blood-bank: a massive autologous transfusion carries less risk of complications than a homologous transfusion. Although this procedure is without risk to patients it is essential to comply with its contraindications (rupture of a hollow organ for the septic risk and existence of a neoplasm for the dissemination risk) and also its precautions in use, mainly the combined use of frozen fresh plasma beyond a certain autotransfused quantity of blood (about 1,200 cc). This latter problem of supplementary supply of coagulation factor is identical to that raised by massive homologous transfusion.