Purpose: The efficacy of a programme transfusion of pre-deposited autologous blood for patients undergoing total hip or knee replacement and scoliosis or other major spinal surgery was studied.

Materials and Methods: Seventy-three patients 56 women and 17 men with an average 39 years (range 14 – 72) entered this program between 1997–2001. According to the surgical necessities predisposition started 2 to 5 weeks preoperatively (one unit per week). The blood bank required that the patients weight more than 40 kilograms and have a haemoglobin mare than 11,5 g/dl. All patients received supplemental ferrous sulfate or ferrous gluconate in dose of 325 mgr three times a day, during the duration period and up to one month postoperatively. Eighty five percent of the patients prede-posited the required number of blood units (2–5 units) while 15% of them predeposited a smaller number due to various reasons (anaemia, low blood pressure etc). The blood was stored for as long as forty-two days. Only three patients refused continuation of the prograrnme. No major problem was observed during blood donation. One hundred percent of the psedeposited blood units were reinfused and in only 7 patients homologous blood transfusion was required.

Conclusion: The method proved to be simple, safe very well accepted and reduced significantly the need homologous blood transfusion. It should be considered for patients who are to undergo a major Orthopaedic procedure.