Clinical orthopaedics and related research
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Transfusion of autologous blood has become increasingly important as an alternative to the use of conventional allogeneic products. Some areas of autotransfusion, like predeposit and intraoperative salvage, are well standardized and generally recommended by physicians. ⋯ Recently, reinfusion of this salvaged, unprocessed autologous blood has been widely advocated; however, reports on its quality are infrequent in the literature. This pilot study, based on sophisticated laboratory testing, describes an efficient method whereby postoperatively shed blood can be appropriately processed and returned to the patient as a relatively safe product.