[Rational use of blood cell products in orthopedics and traumatology].

Study Design: The risk of transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B and C viruses as well as the development of costs has changed the use of homologous blood cell products.

Methods: The present investigation shows the state of the art of blood salvage in orthopedic and elective trauma surgery.

Results: In this investigation the established methods such as controlled hypotension (spine surgery), arrest of blood supply (extremity surgery) and the following methods of autotransfusion have been examined: acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH), intra- (Cell-Saver, Haemonetics Corp.) and postoperative autotransfusion, autologous donor plasmapheresis and autologous predeposit.

Conclusions: Using this method it is possible to reduce homologous blood transfusions particularly in elective procedures such as orthopedic surgery and elective trauma surgery to a minimum.