Intra-operative blood salvage in abdominal trauma - A review of 5 years' experience

We performed a retrospective audit of 1235 patients presenting between 1992 and 1997, following the introduction of intra-operative blood salvage at o ur hospital. Twenty-two cases of severe abdominal trauma requiring emergenc y laparotomy and intra-operative blood salvage were identified. The impact of intra-operative blood salvage in aiding resuscitation and reducing deman d on allogeneic blood supplies is discussed.