Blood conservation for elective surgery involves both the reduction of blood loss and the reduction of homologous blood transfusion. Methods of reducing blood loss such as the use of tourniquets, vasoconstrictor drugs, regional anaesthetic supplements and hypotensive anaesthesia are considered briefly. Preoperative and intraoperative techniques of autotransfusion and haemodilution are considered in detail, including a technique of scavenging and reinfusing blood aspirated from the surgical site.
RyanD.W.Anaesthesia for cystectomy. Anaesthesia1982; 37: 554–560.
5.
ThorburnJ., LoudenJ.R., VallanceR.Spinal and general anaesthesia in total hip replacement: Frequency of deep vein thrombosis. Br J Anaesth1980; 52: 1117–1121.
6.
FahmyN.R.Nitroglycerin as a hypotensive drug during general anaesthesia. Anesthesiology1978; 49: 17–20.
7.
SeshadriR.S., OdellW.R., RuncimanW.B., MorleyA.A.Effective use of blood in elective surgical procedures. Med J Aust1982; 2: 71–74.
8.
CableR.G.Implementation of a predonation system. International Anesthesiology Clinics1982; 20: 59–76.
HallowellP., BlandJ.H.N., BuckleyM.J.Transfusion of fresh autologous blood in open heart surgery; a method for reducing bank blood requirements. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg1972; 64: 941.
14.
CosgroveD.M., ThurerR.L., LytleB.W.Blood conservation during myocardial revascularisation. Ann Thorac Surg1979; 28: 184–189.
MeissnerV., Muller-WiefelH., DrugeH.Clinical experiences with induced preoperative haemodilution in vascular surgery. Anaesthetist1976; 25: 161–166.
17.
Barbier-BohmG., DesmontsJ.M., CouderC.E.Comparative effects of induced hypotension and normovolaemic haemodilution on blood loss in total hip arthroplasty. Br J Anaesth1980; 52: 1039–1042.
18.
BenvenisteD., LundB., NielsenJ.Fresh autotransfusion in major surgery. Acta Anaesth Scand1978; 22: 1–6.
19.
DaviesM.J., CroninK.D., DomaingueC.Haemodilution for major vascular surgery — using 3.5% polygeline (Haemaccel). Anaesth Intens Care1982; 10: 265–270.
20.
VelaR.Haemodilution in hip surgery. Intentional haemodilution. Bib Haematol1975; 41: 270–275.
