[Benefit of a blood conservation program in elective orthopaedic surgery].
BACKGROUND
Due to shortage of blood as well as blood-associated risks, blood conservation programs should be implemented.


METHODS
We compared the use of blood in 109 patients who were included in our program by their surgeons with that in 115 patients who were not recruited by them.


RESULTS
Twenty percent of patients under the program were allo-transfused vs 41% in the other group (p < 0.001). A 67% reduction in homologus blood transfusion was achieved.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of blood conservation techniques can be useful to spare blood, especially in good condition patients or in those with moderate anemia.
López Soques
M Mercedes
MM
Comité de Transfusión, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain. MLopezS@imas.imim.es
León
Alfonso
A
García Alvarez
Joana
J
Garcés
Pilar
P
Sáez
Monserrat
M
D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin