Abstract
Blood transfusion improves oxygen carrying capacity to tissues, but it is also expensive, and carries potential risks. In this chapter, the incidence of transfusion in orthopedic surgery is reviewed, along with techniques of reducing transfusion requirements. Other topics include potential benefits of transfusion on morbidity, mortality, and functional recovery as well as the trigger hemoglobin levels thought to indicate the need for transfusion. Finally, the present‐day risks of blood transfusion are reviewed.