Autotransfusion in the postoperative orthopedic patient.

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. In many orthopedic surgical procedures, the postoperative drainage constitutes a significant percentage of the total perioperative blood loss.