Increased withdrawal volume per deposit for pre-operative autologous blooddonation in adolescents

Objectives: This study was undertaken to assess the feasibility, tolerance, haemodynamic and haematologic effects of an aggressive phlebotomy schedule for autologous blood donation (ABD) in adolescents undergoing major orthop aedic surgery. Methods: Twenty adolescents were studied prospectively; 10 p atients in group A donated 20% of the circulating blood volume on 2 occasio ns, whereas 10 patients in group B donated 10% on 4 occasions. Results: The amount of blood donated, subjective tolerance, cardiovascular changes duri ng the procedure and pre-operative haemoglobin level did not differ between the study groups (group A 111+/-16 vs. group B 106+/-10 g/l), The increase in erythropoietin was greater and occurred sooner in group A than in group B, Conclusion: In adolescents ABD is feasible with a reduced number of app ointments as they demonstrate tolerance to phlebotomies with a volume which is double the standard per deposit. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG. Basel .