Techniques in orthopaedic surgery require frequently transfusion of homologous blood which entails several risks. Nowadays, the importance of the decrease of both transfusion and overtransfusion has been proposed for this type of surgery. This aim can be reached by using different blood saving techniques including either the use of antologous blood or methods to minimize perioperative bleeding. The highest efficacy in order to diminish homologous blood transfusion combines several savings techniques as autotransfusion programs, controled hypotension, and the use of new drugs such as erytropoyetin and aprotinin. Restrictive criteria have to be stablish according to the more recent guidelines for blood transfusion.

Techniques in orthopaedic surgery require frequently transfusion of homologous blood which entails several risks. Nowadays, the importance of the decrease of both transfusion and overtransfusion has been proposed for this type of surgery. This aim can be reached by using different blood saving techniques including either the use of antologous blood or methods to minimize perioperative bleeding. The highest efficacy in order to diminish homologous blood transfusion combines several savings techniques as autotransfusion programs, controled hypotension, and the use of new drugs such as erytropoyetin and aprotinin. Restrictive criteria have to be stablish according to the more recent guidelines for blood transfusion.