Use of predeposit autologous blood transfusion varies greatly

EDITOR,-As Bryan Christie points out, in the United States the use of predeposit autologous blood transfusion for certain surgical procedures such as planned orthopaedic surgery is high. 1 This is not only because of increased demand by patients but also because doctors consider it prudent, for clinical as well as legal reasons, to inform eligible patients of the availability and advantages of this procedure. 2 In Britain predeposit autologous blood transfusion is relatively uncommon and mainly confined to the few units where surgeons and anaesthetists are keen to promote it.