Unchanging attitudes to autologous transfusion in the UK

Our aim was to assess changes in attitudes to autologous transfusion amongs t surgeons over a 10-year period in response to scientific evidence, public awareness, published guidelines, management and the increasing cost of blo od products. Surgeons across the north-west of England completed questionnaires on knowl edge, experience and attitude towards autologous transfusion in 1990, 1994 and 1999. Main outcome measures were changes in knowledge, experience and utilization of autologous transfusion; perceived advantages of autologous transfusion, obstacles to its implementation in surgical practice and preferences for s pecific techniques (preoperative autologous donation, acute normovolaemic h aemodilution, intraoperative and postoperative cell salvage). There has been We change in practice over 10 years. Many more surgeons were keen to employ autologous transfusion than were using it. Autologous trans fusion was only used in general, orthopaedic and cardiothoracic surgery. Sa fety and patient preference were the main arguments for implementation and logistics the main obstacles. Autologous transfusion was used sporadically in surgical practice. Clinical trials are needed to guide clinicians in the choice of transfusion techniq ues.