Introduction: The very nature of revision hip arthroplasty is such that blood loss is to be expected. Anticipation of this problem, accurate assessment of the losses and prompt replacement of losses are the mainstay of intra-operative care.

Aim: We present a user friendly system for communication of intra-operative blood loss

Principles: The classic car heritage of this country provides a wealth of vehicles traditionally associated with given volumes of engine. As such this easy scale can be used throughout the procedure to allow the anaesthetist to convey a readily recognizable figure to the operating surgeon.

The classification:

Fiat Cinquecento 500mls

Morris 1000 1 litre

Austin 1100 1.1 litres

Allegro1400 1.4 litres

The Mark E Cortina 1.6 litres

Wolsey 1.8 litres

Rover 2.0 litres

Jaguar 3.0 litres

Bentley 4.5 litres

Conclusion: We feel that this new system conveys readily recognisable symbols to a quantum that may otherwise pass unnoticed by the surgeon.