[Blood-saving procedures--transfusion medicine aspects].

Homologous blood can be spared by the donation and retransfusion of autologues blood which has to be supervised preferably or--in component therapy and longtime conservation--exclusively by transfusion medicine. In spite of the recently increasing interest in this form of blood substitute, the sparing effect is poor and of little importance, because it can only be applied in case of especially suitable patients and operations and it is more time- and cost-consuming than the homologous transfusion. The sparing effect could be increased if the method would be applied in all suitable patients and interventions. This aim should be strived for in every way because the autologous donation and retransfusion is the most secure form of transfusion.