Autologous and allogeneic blood transfusions in colorectal cancer

Abstract

Since blood transfusion became a therapeutical option in patient care, the surgical possibilities have increased tremendously. Since the problems of anticoagulation and blood group typing were largely resolved, blood transfusions were in only a minority of cases directly lethal. However, it was estimated that still up to 20% of the blood transfusions induces a sort of adverse side-effect. Because the most important side-effects are a result of the transmission of infections and the induction of immunological reactions, these are further discussed