AUTOTRANSFUSION - 15 YEARS EXPERIENCE AT RIZZOLI-ORTHOPEDIC-INSTITUTE

The program of blood saving, result of 15 years of experience, include s predeposit (1977) hemodilution (1979) intra (1984) and postoperative (1985) salvage, careful intra and postoperative bleeding control, use of homologous transfusion only in case of intolerated anaemia even fo r 7-8g/dl Hb values. The use of autologous compared to homologous tran sfusion passed from 19% in 1984 to 62% in 1992. In 1992 in the surgica l division of the Ist Anaesthesia and Intensive Care unit, 414 patient s underwent prosthetic hip and knee surgery, 8% of these patients were homologously transfused.