Letter: Surgery without homologous transfusion.

Abstract

To the Editor.— Patients who will not or cannot receive homologous blood transfusion for either elective or traumatic surgery present a dilemma. Attempts to control bleeding during surgical intervention are not new. However, performing major reconstructive hip surgery using blood-saving and retrieving techniques without the use of homologous blood transfusion is not a frequent procedure. Consequently, there is little or no information available. In the past two years, we have successfully combined the use of hypotensive anesthesia and intraoperative autotransfusion in a group of patients whose religious beliefs prohibited homologous transfusion. Hypotensive anesthesia significantly lowered the amount of blood loss by 50% in this group of patients and aided in the insertion of acrylic cement. Also, 40% of the blood lost at surgery could be retrieved and replaced by intraoperative autotransfusion. Lesser amounts could be obtained in patients who bled little at surgery. The data suggest that intraoperative autotransfusion provides