Autologous Blood Transfusion in Pulmonary Surgery

Sixteen patients undergoing thoracic surgery for suspected tuberculous residua of the lungs received a total of 26 units of autologous banked blood. Single units of autologous blood were drawn in routine fashion one week prior to surgery (unit A). When the need for two units of blood was anticipated, a double phlebotomy (Units B and C) was performed using a double plasmapheresis pack followed by the reinfusion of a previously drawn autologous unit (Unit A). When three units were requested for anticipated surgery, two units (Units B and C) were obtained as above and exchanged on day 14 for units (Units D and E) using a double plasmapheresis pack. On day 16, a single unit (Unit F) was obtained in the routine fashion. The net loss of blood to the donors at a single phlebotomy never exceeded one unit of blood, however, one, two or three units of autologous blood were obtained by appropriate exchange for fresh blood, none of the units had been stored in excess of ten days when finally used at the time of surgery. Transfusion of autologous blood avoids the hazards of transmission of serum hepatitis and isoimmunization. It may be the only available source of rare blood or blood for members of religious sects which prohibit the use of homologous blood transfusion.