[Haemolytic transfusion reaction of surgical patients due to incompatibility of Rh blood groups]

Abstract

Haemolytic transfusion reactions occurred in 4 patients under plastic surgery due to incompatibility of Rh blood groups. The reaction in one of the patient occurred not only abrupt but severe and finally died of renal failure. Other three patients with delayed haemolytic reactions survived after treatment. Since more than 99.5% Chinese population is Rh positive, cross-matching on Rh blood groups is not a routine. The reactions develop usually different from typical ABO blood group haemolytic reactions and are not easy to make an early diagnose. If the surgical patients show profound anemia and haemorrhage following transfusion which could not be explained by bleeding and coagulation abnormalities, haemolytic transfusion reactions due to incompatibility of Rh blood groups might be considered.