[Use of a disposable peroperative autotransfusion device in uncomplicated vascular surgery]. / Utilisation d'un dispositif d'autotransfusion peropératoire à usage unique en chirurgie vasculaire réglée.

We used a simple single process to recover total blood during surgery. All the process stands on a low burdensome jib and does not require additional staff in theater. Its cost is low. The indications concern all surgical operations enduring low or mean bleeding, except in septic and cancer surgery. It may be used in emergencies, even in war surgery with an incorporated source of depression.

[Intraoperative autotransfusion of traumatic hemoperitoneum in emergency surgery]. / L'auto-transfusion per-opératoire d'hémopéritoines traumatiques en chirurgie d'urgence.

The système à lavage globulaire was used for intraoperative auto-transfusion of adult patients with traumatic hemoperitoneum. This method provides a rapid supply of blood of large amount and of quality superior to that supplied by a blood-bank: a massive autologous transfusion carries less risk of complications than a homologous transfusion. Although this procedure is without risk to patients it is essential to comply with its contraindications (rupture of a hollow organ for the septic risk and existence of a neoplasm for the dissemination risk) and also its precautions in use, mainly the combined use of frozen fresh plasma beyond a certain autotransfused quantity of blood (about 1,200 cc). This latter problem of supplementary supply of coagulation factor is identical to that raised by massive homologous transfusion.

[Blood economy during surgery (author's transl)]. / Economie de sang en chirurgie.

Three methods exist for economizing blood during surgical operations: deferred autotransfusion and intentional hemodilution provide blood of excellent quality without any marked risk to the patient. Autotransfusion during operation is a less burdensome method which recuperates blood lost during surgery. The quality of the blood depends upon the type of operation (excellent in elective vascular surgery). Techniques and qualitative and quantitative results are described for each method.

Autotransfusion in surgical practice.

The authors have used autotransfusion of intraoperatively collected blood in 58 vascular surgery cases over a period of more than two years. The clinical results confirm the experimental and laboratory studies on the quality of the autotransfused blood. A more liberal use of intraoperative autotransfusion is advocated. Intraoperative autotransfusion is a simple, safe, inexpensive and cost-effective technique. It saves homologous banked blood and provides a readily available, compatible, normothermic transfusate with superior hematologic qualities.

[Autotransfusion in surgical practice (author's transl)]. / Autotransfusion en pratique chirurgicale.

From their experiences on animals and from its surgical applications the authors can say that the procedure of autotransfusion in vascular operations is worthwhile and safe. Elements of blood auto transfused are a little or not at all altered. Autotransfusion reduces requiremnts of bank blood, rare and containing risks.