The use of banked autologous blood in total hip replacement surgery.

Fifty patients anticipating total hip replacement, with an average age of 63, donated 125 units of blood in an organized autologous transfusion program. All but 3 patients demonstrated the ability to respond to oral iron and maintain adequate hemoglobin levels for subsequent phlebotomies. No complications were encountered and the program was well received by the participating patients. The advantages of autologous transfusion are numerous, including the avoidance of the risk of serum hepatitis, blood reactions, blood incompatibilities. Autologous transfusion constitutes a source of blood availability in the elective procedure of total hip replacement. This procedure is safe, practical and well tolerated.