BLOOD-SAVING OPERATIONS

Trauma, blood loss and autologous blood transfusions induce a variety of changes in the reactivity of patients' immune systems. In clinical studies the differentiation of these effects is difficult. Association between autologous blood transfusion and postoperative infection is h ighly likely. In surgical oncology blood transfusions are associated w ith poor prognosis. but probably this is more because of the circumsta nces that necessitate them.