Autologous blood transfusion and haemoglobin SC disease

Three autologous blood units were transfused during elective orthopaedic su rgery in a patient with undiagnosed haemoglobin SC disease. The packed red blood cells had been stored at 4 degrees C on SAG-M under standard conditio ns for 10 to 31 days. There was no evidence of adverse clinical reactions d uring the perioperative period. Six months later, a blood unit was collecte d at the initial step of an exchange transfusion in the same patient. Haemo lysis was moderate after a 12-day-storage period and more significant after 32 days. This observation, as some other case reports, suggest that autolo gous blood transfusion may be considered for haemorrhagic surgery in select ed patients with sickle cell disease. (C) 1999 Elsevier, Paris.