TRANSFUSION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF WAR INJURED - THE EXPERIENCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED-CROSS

The quantity of blood required in the total surgical care of 4470 war injured patients in four hospitals was 44.9 units for every 100 patients admitted (u/cp). Patients evacuated to hospital in less than 6 h from wounding required 59.8 u/cp: patients admitted as a result of antipersonnel mines required 103.2 u/cp. Patients with burns potentially require most blood. Whether these figures permit prediction of transfusion requirements for future conflicts is discussed.