Abstract
Severe hemorrhage associated with major trauma and vascular procedures is seen frequently in our operating rooms. Immediate autotransfusion has enabled us to safely and adquately correct blood losses without placing overwhelming demands on our blood bank. Since October 1973, a device capable of retrieving, filtering and reinfusing blood lost during operation has been used on 51 patients (major trauma, 20; ectopic pregnancy, 2; portacaval shunt, 9; peripheral vascular surgery, 20). From 700 to 20,000 cc's of blood were reinfused. Platelets, hematocrit, fibrinogen, free plasma hemoglobin, bilirubin, and creatinine showed no significant changes as compared to preoperative values in 39 survivors. There were 12 deaths. Eight died postoperatively as a result of their injuries, 3 of uncontrollable bleeding and one of renal failure. This study shows that autotransfusion, when used with proper operating technique, is a most satisfactory technique for restoring blood volume in severe trauma cases and elective vascular operations. This method provides a rapid, simple way of reinfusing fresh blood, free of hepatitis contamination with minimal derangement in cellular and plasma coagulation parameters.