Blood transfusion requirements in femoral neck fractures.

Fractures of the femoral neck are common, and their incidence seems likely to increase. A prospective study in 1991 of 80 patients with such fractures suggested that not all need to be cross-matched preoperatively, a finding supported by the existing literature. At the same time, a survey of transfusion protocols in hospitals throughout the country suggested that much blood was being wasted daily in unnecessary cross-matching. This survey was repeated in 1995, and little appears to have changed. The implications of this are discussed.