Intraoperative autologous blood transfusion. Value in major orthopedic surgery

: Intra-operative autologous blood transfusion (IAT) employing a cell separator has proved an effective and safe means of reducing the amount of homologous blood needed for major orthopedic operations. Homologous blood was required in only 15 or 26% of patients, who underwent cemented or uncemented total hip replacement. This is significantly less than in a control group without IAT, in which homologous blood was required in 65 and 71% respectively. In 33% of patients, who had an operation of the spine and in 35% of cases of revision total hip surgery homologous blood was necessary in addition to IAT. We feel, that preoperative blood donation is indicated in addition to IAT, in total hip revisions, major surgery of the spine, as well as in special situations when a total hip replacement is planned.