ABSTRACT

We describe our invaluable experience in managing a 45-year- old gentleman who sustained polytrauma following a motor vehicle accident requiring lifesaving exploratory laparotomy at the district hospital of Lahad Datu, Sabah. Upon requesting blood group and cross match prior to surgery, it was discovered that he was a blood group O Rhesus negative. Unfortunately, our centre did not have ‘safe O’ on hand. Acute normovolemic hemodilution autologous blood transfusion was performed allowing surgery to be performed successfully.