Blood transfusion requirements in femoral neck fractures.
Fractures of the femoral neck are common, and their incidence seems likely to increase. A prospective study in 1991 of 80 patients with such fractures suggested that not all need to be cross-matched preoperatively, a finding supported by the existing literature. At the same time, a survey of transfusion protocols in hospitals throughout the country suggested that much blood was being wasted daily in unnecessary cross-matching. This survey was repeated in 1995, and little appears to have changed. The implications of this are discussed.
Fazakerley Hospital, Liverpool.
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L
Muir
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D005265:Femoral Neck Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged