clinical trial of intraoperative normovolemic haemodilution and autotransfusion in neurosurgery

A study of intraoperative normovolaemic haemodilution and autotransfusion was carried out in 20 patients undergoing neurosurgery to determine the safety and efficacy of the procedure. After induction of anaesthesia two units of blood were collected from the patients and in exchange equal volume of 3.5% polygeline [Haemaccel] was infused, total blood loss, haemoglobin, haematocrit and electrolyte changes were compared with a control of twenty neurosurgical patients without haemodilution. Only 10% patients in the study group required homologous blood transfusion compared to control group in which 85% patient did so