[Intraoperative autotransfusion (author's transl)].

Intraoperative autotransfusion is an advantageous and safe method of blood replacement. In our clinic this method is established as a routine procedure in all cases with suspected massive bleeding. We used the IAT in 141 cases of surgical haemorrhage. The mean indications for IAT in surgery were emergency operations necessitated by blunt abdominal or thoracic trauma. Altogether 390 l of blood have been retransfused with an AT -- volume per patient ranging from 1 to 20 l. On an average 2,8 l per patient were transfused. Contraindications of blood replacement are tumour surgery, septic surgery, contamination by large intestinal contents and rupture of the uterus. For anticoagulation ACD-solution has been used, only in vascular surgery systemic heparinization was preferred. The main advantages of autologous intraoperative transfusion are the immediate availability of blood, the absence of the risk of hepatitis and of incompatibility reactions, reduction of pressure on the blood banks and lower transfusion costs.