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Blood transfusion requirements in femoral neck fractures
1Fazakerley Hospital, Liverpool.
Fractures of the femoral neck are common, and their incidence seems likely to increase. A prospective study in 1991 of 80 patients with such fractures suggested that not all need to be cross-matched preoperatively, a finding supported by the existing literature. At the same time, a survey of transfusion protocols in hospitals throughout the country suggested that much blood was being wasted daily in unnecessary cross-matching. This survey was repeated in 1995, and little appears to have changed. The implications of this are discussed.
Fractures of the femoral neck are common, and their incidence seems likely to increase. A prospective study in 1991 of 80 patients with such fractures suggested that not all need to be cross-matched preoperatively, a finding supported by the existing literature. At the same time, a survey of transfusion protocols in hospitals throughout the country suggested that much blood was being wasted daily in unnecessary cross-matching. This survey was repeated in 1995, and little appears to have changed. The implications of this are discussed.