An autotransfusion system for collecting and salvaging blood from a patient's body cavity and for returning it to the patient includes a collection bottle which is detachably connected by an arrangement of ports and an adapter to a source of suction as well as to a conduit from the patient. When the bottle is connected to the system the suction draws the blood into the bottle. When the bottle has been filled and it is desired to return the blood to the patient or for further processing before returning it to the patient the container is easily detached and may be connected to an intravenous delivery set. During reinfusion blood may continue to be collected by the system by replacing the original container with another container. The system may be operated by suction from commonly available fittings in hospital environments or may be connected to a thoracic drainage system to utilize the suction from that system to operate the autotransfusion device. The system may be formed from molded plastic materials and is adapted for disposable one-time use.