Increased Withdrawal Volume per Deposit for Pre–Operative Autologous Blood Donation in Adolescents

Objectives: This study was undertaken to assess the feasibility, tolerance, haemodynamic and haematologic effects of an aggressive phlebotomy schedule for autologous blood donation (ABD) in adolescents undergoing major orthopaedic surgery. Methods: Twenty adolescents were studied prospectively; 10 patients in group A donated 20% of the circulating blood volume on 2 occasions, whereas 10 patients in group B donated 10% on 4 occasions. Results: The amount of blood donated, subjective tolerance, cardiovascular changes during the procedure and pre–operative haemoglobin level did not differ between the study groups (group A 111±16 vs. group B 106±10 g/l). The increase in erythropoietin was greater and occurred sooner in group A than in group B. Conclusion: In adolescents ABD is feasible with a reduced number of appointments as they demonstrate tolerance to phlebotomies with a volume which is double the standard per deposit.