Bleeding management in elective orthopedic surgery

Preoperative anemia and blood loss are two major concerns in elective orthopedic surgery. Most orthopedic surgeons consider allogenic blood transfusions to be a standard treatment in cases of low hemoglobin, although a number of well-recognized risks and complications are associated, as well as high costs and bad outcome. Procedures to reduce allogenic blood transfusion include the identification and management of preoperative anemia, intraoperative salvage, and possible postoperative retransfusion systems. This chapter gives an overview of alternatives to allogenic blood transfusion from the anesthesiology and orthopedic points of view, including estimated costs and acceptance