Revista española de anestesiología y reanimación
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Rev Esp Anestesiol Reanim · Nov 1999
[Cost-effectiveness analysis of an autotransfusion program in primary knee and hip replacement surgery].
To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a program for autotransfusion in patients undergoing primary prosthetic surgery of the knee and hip (cemented and non-cemented). ⋯ The autotransfusion program described is effective for lowering and even preventing exposure to homologous blood. The efficacy of the program is adequate, though it could be improved. The costs related to autologous hemotherapy are greater when combined autotransfusion techniques are used. When only one technique is used, the best cost-benefit ratio comes with preoperative donation.