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Over a period of 5 months, 50 patients were entered into the preoperative autologous blood donation program of our Service. Two patients were excluded; one had previously had an acute myocardial infarction and the other had epilepsy. The remaining 48 patients, which accounted for one third of our elective surgery procedures, all accepted to enter the program. These patients were not more severely anemic than the other patients not in the program and who underwent the same surgical procedures. No patients required homologous blood transfusion and no complications ascribable to the procedure were observed. Although it is not utilized widely to date, predeposited autologous blood transfusion is a safe and efficient method, with no remarkable morbidity, even in patients aged over 65 years, the age group of one half of our patients. Autologous blood transfusion programs are necessary. The indications, the exclusion criteria for patients at high risk and the objective parameters for evaluating its success must be established.