[Counting of thrombocytes in a medium-sized clinical routine laboratory. Comparative study of a new electronic counting procedure].

Three platelet counting methods, i.e. the phase contrast microscopic method, the Thrombocounter (Coulter) and Thrombocell 1000 (Contraves), have been analyzed and compared. Critical evaluation of the results showed marked superiority of the electronic systems over microscopic counting regarding reproducibility and time requirement. The simplicity of sample preparation, which requires no hematocrit correction, and the availability of a capillary blood method renders the Thrombocell 1000 superior to the Coulter Thrombocounter.