Some people elect not to receive blood transfusions or blood products during surgery. This approach is known as "bloodless medicine," and there are a number of medical and ethical reasons why a patient might make this decision.
Bloodless medicine is an exciting field made possible by a growing number of cutting-edge techniques. Many of these techniques are only available in select medical centers that have the right equipment and clinical staff trained in bloodless methods. If you want to know more, this guide explains how surgeries can be safely performed without blood transfusions or major blood products.
- I. Is Bloodless Medicine For Me?
- Step 1: Introduction to the bloodless approach
- Step 2: The components of blood
- Step 3: Why people choose bloodless medicine
- Step 4: Benefits and risks
- II. Undergoing Bloodless Surgery
- Step 5: Surgeries that can use bloodless methods
- Step 6: Preparing for bloodless surgery
- Step 7: Strategies and techniques during surgery
- Step 8: Post-surgery
Review Date:
6/8/2009
Reviewed By:
Frank A. Greco, M.D., Ph.D., Director, Biophysical Laboratory, The Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-
A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.