[A recent procedure for intraoperative autotransfusion].

At the surgical unit of the University of Cologne a new system for autotransfusion (Solcotrans) was used in 18 patients. This system consists of a plastic case connected with a vacuum pump by an airtube. After filling the plastic case with 50 ml sodium citrate, 450 ml of blood can be aspirated by the surgeon and be reinfused by the anaesthesiologist. The system was used in shunt-surgery at portal hypertension, at venous thrombectomy and at aneurysms of the aorta abdominalis. Through this, stored blood was not necessary in 13 operations.