[Autotransfusion with the Sörensen apparatus]

Since 1980 in Würzburg the Sorensen autotransfusion unit has been clinically used in 47 patients (35 vascular, 11 trauma patients, one with arterial bleeding after BII, one with aneurysm of the a. pericallosa) and tested to study its practicability, its advantages and disadvantages. Within the laboratory data there was a small decrease of hemoglobin, hematocrit and blood platelets, as well as of the "Quick" and AT-3. PTT and thrombin-time persisted unchanged, as did the results of electrolytes, parameters of renal and liver function, and the status of blood gas analysis. Free hemoglobin i.s. or i.u. was found in three patients with extremely high volume autotransfusions. The autotransfusion unit is convenient, easy to use and reliable. However, it is only suitable for the reinfusion of blood when hemorrhage is moderate and not severe. Hemothorax blood can be used only when adequate anti-fibrinolytic therapy is guaranteed. Nevertheless, the use of the Sorensen autotransfusion unit within the named diagnoses can achieve a precious contribution for saving homologous blood.