Preoperative autologous blood donation for oral and maxillofacial surgery: an analysis of 913 patients.
OBJECTIVE
Autologous transfusions are frequently used with elective surgical procedures and are a mandated choice under California law. Because unused units cannot be transfused to other patients, it is important to assess utilization and minimize waste.


METHODS
The transfusion needs of 913 consecutive patients scheduled for major oral and maxillofacial surgery at the University of California San Francisco were evaluated in 3 categories: oncologic and reconstructive surgery (563), orthognathic surgery (260), and temporomandibular joint surgery (90).


RESULTS
24.9% of patients chose to undergo preoperative autologous blood donation. 24.2%, 20.6%, and 11.4% of oncologic and reconstructive surgery, orthognathic surgery, and temporomandibular joint surgery patients, respectively, who made an autologous donation preoperatively, subsequently received a transfusion postoperatively.


CONCLUSIONS
Transfusion needs for most oral surgery procedures are clearly overestimated; the relatively low risk of blood loss associated with these procedures today should be taken into account when asking patients to participate in preoperative autologous blood donation.
Nath
Avantika
A
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of California, San Francisco 94143-0440, USA.
Pogrel
M Anthony
MA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001782:Blood Donors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D056948:Orthognathic Surgical Procedures; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012495:San Francisco; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000601:surgery