Which autologous procedure involves drawing blood and storing it before elective surgery?

• A. Preoperative collection
• B. Intraoperative donation
• C. Postoperative collection
• D. Perioperative blood salvage

Answer: (A)

Drawing blood ahead of a planned operation and storing it for later use is called preoperative collection. This autologous approach is done before the surgery so the patient has their own blood available if a transfusion is needed, reducing exposure to donor blood and associated risks. Intraoperative donation happens during the surgery itself, not before. Perioperative blood salvage collects and sometimes reinfuses blood during the operation or surrounding period, rather than storing a unit drawn earlier for later use. Postoperative collection would be after surgery and isn’t the method used to have blood ready for the upcoming procedure. So, the preoperative collection option best fits the description.