[Normovolemic hemodilution in the prevention of venous thrombosis in orthopedic and traumatologic surgery].

In 114 patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery among which 47 hip replacements, hematocrit was reduced to between 30 and 32% by withdrawing red cells without increasing the blood volume. Deep veinous thrombosis was observed in 4 cases. No pulmonary embolism occurred. Incisional hematoma was noted in 0.9% of the cases.