[Autotransfusion in elective surgery]

The authors discuss the use of autotransfusion in elective surgery. Three hundred hip arthoplasty had been performed between September, 1989 and November, 1993 at their department, in 259 cases of which (86%) autotransfusion had been used by means of preoperative blood donation. Studying the methods cost effectiveness, they point out that, due to their calculation, 270 patients had donated altogether 531 units of whole blood (213.6 liters) during the examined period, of 1,062,000 Fts value. This method compared with the perioperative hemodilution and the intraoperatively collected autotransfusion technique, is more profitable, considering that there is no need of extra instrumentation and both the duration of operation and anaesthesia take no longer. Thus, the blood-donating patient takes part in the treating process, becoming and active factor of his own cure. Of the different methods of autotransfusion, the authors suggest the use of preoperative blood-donation to every department performing elective surgery because of its simpleness, cost-effectiveness and security.