The use of predeposited autologous blood transfusion for radical prostatectomy

PURPOSE: In reference to the cases in which radical prostatectomy was performed after storage of autologous blood, we retrospectively study the usefulness of this procedure and proper amount of blood stored. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The subjects included 62 cases in which radical prostatectomy was performed after storage of autologous blood from October, 1997 to March, 2000. As the amount of blood to be stored, either 800 ml or 1,200 ml was selected optionally as the amount of blood to be stored, and blood was stored at a rate of 400 ml once a week. Erythropoietin, 24,000 units was injected subcutaneously after storage of blood, and an iron preparation 200 mg/day was administered orally throughout the period. RESULTS: Homologous blood transfusion could be avoided in 58 out of 62 cases, the avoidance rate being 93.5%. With 200 ml of autologous blood as 1 unit, 104 units out of 330 units were discarded, the disposal rate being 31.5%. To lower the disposal rate, we studied whether there is any parameter that can predict the loss of blood preoperatively. As a result, we found a significant difference in the loss of blood between the body mass index of less than 24 and that of more than 24. Blood storage and transfusion produced no side-effects. CONCLUSION: Storing autologous blood in radical prostatectomy is considered useful since homologous blood transfusion can be avoided at a high percentage and no side-effects are produced. The body mass index is useful for predicting the loss of blood and determining a proper amount of blood to be stored.