[Current status of thrombocyte and granulocyte substitution]

The present situation in thrombocyte and granulocyte substitution is presented. First, the different methods of producing thrombocyte and granulocyte concentrates are discussed. Differential centrifugation and cell separators with continuous or intermittent flow are used for gaining thrombocytes, whereas cell separators with continuous or intermittent flow as well as filtration and gravitation leucapheresis may be used for producing granulocyte concentrates. Then, the indications for substituting granulocytes and thrombocytes are discussed. For thrombocyte substitution, thrombocyte numbers below 20 X 10(9)/1 and haemorrhagic diathesis are considered as an absolute indication. Granulocyte concentrates should only be administered to patients with transitory marked granulocytopenia, with granulocytes being less than 0.2 X 10(9)/1 and ensured bacterial infection. Finally, future basic developments of thrombocyte and granulocyte substitution are discussed.