A Study of Preoperative Atuologous Blood Donations in Tehran Blood Transfusion Center

In spite of all attempts for safe blood transfusion, there are a variety of complications such as
viral infections, alloimmunisation, hemolysis and immunosupression. Nowadays the main
subject of blood transfusion services in the world is provision of safe blood, and one of the best
ways is the patient's own blood or autologous blood.
In this study, patients who were candidate for elective surgery consulted to Tehran blood
transfusion center. With respect to the type of surgery and hematocrit more than 30%, abouI 10%
of whole body blood (350-450cc) had been taken out. Collection of blood ceased 72 hour before
surgery. After negative viral tests, the blood units, were preserved separately at2-6"C and
handed over to hospital before operation. When it was not used, returned to blood transfusion
center and with those units which had viral infections, autoclaved and then disoarded.
Forthy six cases included in the study, of whom 36 (78.3%) were females. The patients had
average 13-72 years of age and weighing 40-105 kg.
19 patients (41 3%) donated one unit of blood, 24 patients (52.2%) two units, 2 pattents (4.3%)
three units and 1 patient (2.2%) four units.
The only complication occurred in one patient was vasovagal reaction and resolved with sweet
liquid diet. Ten patients (21.7%) needed no blood and in 31 patients (67.3%) allogen blood was
not used. In plastic surgery- the most common type of surgical operations (41.3%)- ENT, general
surgery, Gynea & obst and maxillo- fascillary operations, autologus blood provided i00% the
need of the patients and no allogenic blood was used, But in ortlhopedic Surgery, 56.3% of
necessary blood was provided with autolog blood. No blood transfusion complication was seen.
Autologus blood as the safest blood, reduced necessity of allogenic blood by 70% and can be
used more successfully by accurate planning and introduced to the patients who are candidate for
elective surgery.