I am scheduled for total joint replacement surgery and may need a blood transfusion. Should I donate my own blood (autologous donation)?
Prior to very sensitive and specific nucleic acid tests for HIV and hepatitis C, this practice was encouraged to reduce the possibility of being infected by a transfusion. Now that the blood supply is adequately screened, donating your blood prior to surgery is generally not recommended. You may unnecessarily lower your hemoglobin level pre-operatively, which is counter-productive. Autologous donation wastes resources in addressing a problem which no longer exists. This is a question you should also discuss with your surgeon.
