AUTO-TRANSFUSION - A REVIEW

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 13, 48-56
Abstract
Autologous [human] blood transfusion can be performed in 4 different ways: elective preoperative blood collection, storage and retransfusion during surgery; immediate preoperative phlebotomy with simultaneous artificial hemodilution and later reinfusion of phlebotomized blood; pre- or postoperative salvage and retransfusion of blood shed via wound drains as an emergency method; and intraoperative blood salvage and retransfusion. All 4 types of autotransfusion offer a potentially superior method of blood transfusion which eliminates many of the problems and complications associated with the banking and administration of homologous donor blood. However, autotransfusion has its own inherent problems and hazards which have limited its acceptance. A review of the literature on autotransfusion is given, with the emphasis on intraoperative blood salvage and retransfusion mode. Some experiences with intraoperative autotransfusion are also presented.