OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the potential and effectiveness of autologous blood transfusion in an obstetric and gynaecological practice. SETTING: The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the department of Haematology, University College Hospital, Galway, Ireland. SUBJECTS: One hundred and sixty-eight women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy, 42 women undergoing repair procedures, and 56 women undergoing elective caesarian sections participated in this programme. RESULTS: In the abdominal hysterectomy group 329 units of blood were collected of which 48% were transfused to the donors. In the repair group 82 units of blood were collected of which 21.9% were transfused to the donors. In the elective caesarian section group 105 units of blood were collected of which 64.7% were transfused to the donors. Overall the donation procedure was well tolerated with infrequent donor reactions. CONCLUSION: Our experience demonstrates that autologous blood transfusion is a safe and reasonable transfusion practice in the setting of obstetrics and gynaecology.
OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the potential and effectiveness of autologous blood transfusion in an obstetric and gynaecological practice. SETTING: The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the department of Haematology, University College Hospital, Galway, Ireland. SUBJECTS: One hundred and sixty-eight women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy, 42 women undergoing repair procedures, and 56 women undergoing elective caesarian sections participated in this programme. RESULTS: In the abdominal hysterectomy group 329 units of blood were collected of which 48% were transfused to the donors. In the repair group 82 units of blood were collected of which 21.9% were transfused to the donors. In the elective caesarian section group 105 units of blood were collected of which 64.7% were transfused to the donors. Overall the donation procedure was well tolerated with infrequent donor reactions. CONCLUSION: Our experience demonstrates that autologous blood transfusion is a safe and reasonable transfusion practice in the setting of obstetrics and gynaecology.