Noninvasive Technique of Intraoperative Autologous Blood Transfusion in Abdominal Vascular Accidents

Abstract

A simple, noninvasive method of intraoperative autologous blood transfu sion in abdominal vascular accidents is described. Twelve patients, all males whose ages ranged from three to sixty years, received from 300 ml to 2,500 ml of autologous blood intraoperatively. All patients received powerful antibiotics pe rioperatively and for five days postoperatively because the transfused blood was considered to be potentially contaminated. Up to 70% of spilled blood was sal vaged. No deaths or major postoperative complications wre encountered. Hepa torenal function and hematologic indices that had shown initial minor departures from normal returned to normal within seven days postoperatively. Autologous intraoperative blood transfusion has a definite place in tropical sur gery, even though major vascular and cardiac surgery are not routinely done at the present time.