• Drainage
• Osteotomy
• Tranexamic Acid
• Venous Thrombosis

• Humans
• Male
• Female
• Tranexamic Acid
• Case-Control Studies
• Antifibrinolytic Agents
• Retrospective Studies
• Blood Transfusion
• Blood Loss, Surgical
• Postoperative Hemorrhage/prevention & control
• Postoperative Hemorrhage/drug therapy
• Administration, Topical
• Osteotomy/adverse effects
• Drainage
• Hematoma/chemically induced
• Hematoma/complications

With increasing interest in enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS), the literature on ERAS in orthopedic surgery is also rapidly accumulating. This review article aims to (1) summarize the components of the ERAS protocol applied to orthopedic surgery, (2) evaluate the outcomes of ERAS in orthopedic surgery, and (3) suggest practical strategies to implement the ERAS protocol successfully.

Overall, 17 components constituting the highly recommended ERAS protocol in orthopedic surgery were identified. In the preadmission period, preadmission counseling and the optimization of medical conditions were identified. In the preoperative period, avoidance of prolonged fasting, multimodal analgesia, and prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting were identified. During the intraoperative period, anesthetic protocols, prevention of hypothermia, and fluid management, urinary catheterization, antimicrobial prophylaxis, blood conservation, local infiltration analgesia and local nerve block, and surgical factors were identified. In the postoperative period, early oral nutrition, thromboembolism prophylaxis, early mobilization, and discharge planning were identified. ERAS in orthopedic surgery reduced postoperative complications, hospital stay, and cost, and improved the patient outcomes and satisfaction with accelerated recovery. For successful implementation of the ERAS protocol, various strategies including the standardization of care system, multidisciplinary communication and collaboration, ERAS education, and continuous audit system are necessary.

The ERAS pathway enhanced patient recovery with a shortened length of stay, reduced postoperative complications, and improved patient outcomes and satisfaction. However, despite the significant progress in ERAS implementation in recent years, it has mainly focused on major surgeries such as arthroplasty. Therefore, further efforts to apply, audit, and optimize ERAS in various orthopedic surgeries are necessary.

• Components
• Enhanced recovery after surgery
• Implementation
• Orthopedic surgery
• Outcomes

Although epidural patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) to control postoperative pain after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), the relationship of epidural PCA with postoperative bleeding remains controversial. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effect of epidural and intravenous PCA on postoperative bleeding in patients undergoing unilateral TKA. Total of 2467 patients who underwent TKA were divided to intravenous PCA (n = 2339) or epidural PCA (n = 128) group. After 1:1 propensity score-matching, 212 patients were analyzed to assess the associations between the perioperative blood loss and epidural PCA between the groups. Mean postoperative blood loss was significantly greater in epidural PCA than in intravenous PCA (900.9 ± 369.1 mL vs. 737.8 ± 410.1 mL; P = 0.007). The incidence of red blood cell (RBC) administration (> 3 units) was significantly higher in epidural PCA than in intravenous PCA (30.2% vs. 16.0%; OR 2.5; 95% CI 1.201–5.205; P = 0.014). Epidural PCA may be strongly related to postoperative bleeding and the incidence of RBC transfusion of more than 3 units after unilateral TKA, as compared to intravenous PCA. Therefore, the use of epidural PCA may be carefully considered for postoperative pain management in TKA.

Many surgeons choose to perform total knee arthroplasty (TKA) surgery with the aid of a tourniquet. A tourniquet is a device that fits around the leg and restricts blood flow to the limb. There is a need to understand whether tourniquets are safe, and if they benefit, or harm, patients. The aim of this study was to determine the benefits and harms of tourniquet use in TKA surgery.

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled trials, and trial registries up to 26 March 2020. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs), comparing TKA with a tourniquet versus without a tourniquet. Outcomes included: pain, function, serious adverse events (SAEs), blood loss, implant stability, duration of surgery, and length of hospital stay.

We included 41 RCTs with 2,819 participants. SAEs were significantly more common in the tourniquet group (53/901 vs 26/898, tourniquet vs no tourniquet respectively) (risk ratio 1.73 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10 to 2.73). The mean pain score on the first postoperative day was 1.25 points higher (95% CI 0.32 to 2.19) in the tourniquet group. Overall blood loss did not differ between groups (mean difference 8.61 ml; 95% CI -83.76 to 100.97). The mean length of hospital stay was 0.34 days longer in the group that had surgery with a tourniquet (95% CI 0.03 to 0.64) and the mean duration of surgery was 3.7 minutes shorter (95% CI -5.53 to -1.87).

TKA with a tourniquet is associated with an increased risk of SAEs, pain, and a marginally longer hospital stay. The only finding in favour of tourniquet use was a shorter time in theatre. The results make it difficult to justify the routine use of a tourniquet in TKA surgery.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(5):830–839.

• Serious adverse events
• Total knee arthroplasty
• Tourniquet

To compare the blood loss after procedures of primary unilateral or one‐stage bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) caused by open‐box prosthesis and closed‐box prosthesis.

This was a retrospective study. Patients undergoing procedures of primary TKA between January 2017 and July 2020 in our institution were assessed for eligibility for this study. Those who were diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis and underwent primary unilateral or one‐stage bilateral TKA by using PFC Sigma PS150 (closed‐box prosthesis) or Vanguard (open‐box prosthesis) knee systems and had complete data of laboratory indexes on postoperative day (POD) 1, POD 3, and POD 5 were the interested population. At last 243 patients were enrolled, among which 88 patients were classified into the unilateral closed‐box group, 66 patients into the unilateral open‐box group, 47 patients into the one‐stage bilateral closed‐box group, and 42 patients into the one‐stage bilateral open‐box group. The perioperative management and operative techniques were almost the same for each patient, except the selection of prosthesis, which was decided according to surgeon's preference. The baseline information, postoperative laboratory indexes tested on POD 1, POD 3, and POD 5 including hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelet, thrombin time (TT), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and international normalized ratio (INR), the primary outcome measurements including the maximum decreased value of hemoglobin and the volume of total blood loss, and the secondary outcome measurements including the transfusion rate and the average transfused red blood cell (RBC) units were well compared between the open‐box group and the closed‐box group.

The baseline was comparable between groups, except higher preoperative levels of hemoglobin (134.43 g/L vs 126.51 g/L, P = 0.003) and hematocrit (39.92% vs 37.37%, P = 0.000) observed in the one‐stage bilateral open‐box group. The differences of postoperative coagulation function monitored by TT, PT, APTT, and INR were clinically irrelevant between groups. For patients receiving unilateral TKA, significantly higher value of decreased hemoglobin (26.06 g/L vs 21.05 g/L, P = 0.025) and significantly larger amount of total blood loss (920.34 mL vs 723.19 mL, P = 0.013) were observed in the open‐box group. For patients receiving one‐stage bilateral TKA, the open‐box prosthesis was observed to cause more hemoglobin drop (37.81 g/L vs 32.02 g/L, P = 0.071) and total blood loss (1327.26 mL vs 1177.42 mL, P = 0.247) compared to the closed‐box prosthesis, though the differences were not significant. The transfusion rate and the average transfused RBC units were not significantly different between the open‐box group and the closed‐box group no matte whether the patients were from the unilateral TKA group or from one‐stage bilateral TKA group.

The use of open‐box prosthesis caused more hemoglobin drop and total blood loss than closed‐box prosthesis after primary unilateral or one‐stage bilateral TKA, resulting in comparable transfusion rate and average transfused RBC units between groups.

• Blood loss
• Closed-box prosthesis
• Open-box prosthesis
• Total knee arthroplasty
• Transfusion

• arthroplasty
• complications
• operative time
• outcomes
• total shoulder

Introduction: Hypotensive epidural anesthesia (HEA) is used in total joint arthroplasty as a safe and effective blood-saving modality. In order to maintain the blood pressure and heart rate patients, receive 1000 to 1500 mL of lactated Ringer’s solution during surgery. While HEA reduces the intraoperative blood loss, the effect of intravenous fluid loading on hemoglobin levels is not fully understood. The current study investigates the effect of HEA on perioperative hemoglobin levels. Materials and Methods: The study included 35 patients operated on by a single surgeon undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty under HEA. Intraoperatively, at least 300 mL of intravenous fluid were given every 15 min over the first 60 min after HEA. Blood samples were drawn before entering the operating room, after HEA, as well as after inflation of the tourniquet, every 15 min thereafter, as well as in the recovery room and on postoperative days one and two. In addition, fluid in- and outtake was recorded. Results: Patients received a mean 1275 mL during the 60 min of tourniquet time. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) 5 min after HEA dropped to 60 mmHg and reached a constant level of around 58 mmHg 15 min after HEA. The average hemoglobin level dropped from 13.9 g/dL prior to HEA, to 12.5 g/dL immediately after HEA (p < 0.001). Intraoperatively the hemoglobin level dropped further and reached 11.8 g/dL at 60 min in the absence of blood loss. Conclusions: Hypotensive epidural anesthesia and the resulting fluid substitution resulted in an average hemoglobin drop of 2.1 g/dL within the first 60 min. This needs to be taken into account when evaluating the need for blood transfusions after primary joint replacement surgery under HEA.

• blood transfusions
• blood-saving modality
• hemoglobin levels
• hypotensive anesthesia
• total knee arthroplasty

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee/adverse effects
• Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee/methods
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pain Measurement/methods
• Pain, Postoperative/diagnosis
• Prosthesis Failure
• Quality of Life
• Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
• Selection Bias
• Tourniquets/adverse effects
• Treatment Outcome

• DRF-2018-11-ST2-030 Department of Health
• PDF-2015-08-108 Department of Health

Bernese periacetabular osteotomy (PAO), an effective treatment for patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), is characterized by wide exposure, cancellous bone surgery, and difficult techniques. In addition, the hip joint is deep and of rich muscles and neurovascular supply, which significantly increases bleeding. For patients who had combined proximal femoral osteotomy (PFO), the blood loss may be tremendous. The blood management for PAO is still challenging. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of multi‐modal blood management for PAO and PAO combined with PFO.

We retrospectively evaluated patients who had PAO with or without combined procedures from June 2010 to December 2018 in our department. The multi‐modal blood management protocol included three parts: (i) pre‐operation – autologous component blood donation and iron supplement/erythropoietin; (ii) during operation – controlled hypotension anesthesia, intraoperative auto‐blood transfusion, tranexamic acid (20 mg/kg, IV / 0.5 g local), and standardized surgical procedure to shorten surgical time; and (iii) post‐operation – no drainage used, selective allo‐blood transfusion, and ice packing technique. As the lacking of the above standard blood management protocol during PAO or PAO + PFO initially, we divided all the patients into three groups: Group A (PAO) – before protocol started, 74 hips; Group B (PAO) – after protocol finalized, 178 hips; Group C (PAO + PFO) – after protocol finalized, 55 hips. The intraoperative blood loss, surgical time, allo‐transfusion rate, pre‐ and postoperative hemoglobin were compared among groups.

Both the general characteristics and preoperative hemoglobin were comparable among the three groups (P < 0.001). The intraoperative blood loss was 797.1 ± 312.2, 381.7 ± 144.0 and 544.1 ± 249.1 mL, respectively. The surgical time was 109.6 ± 18.5, 80.2 ± 20.0 and 154.3 ± 44.7 min, respectively. The allo‐transfusion rate was 86.5%, 0%, and 2%, respectively. The mean decreased value of hemoglobin on the first postoperative day of group B and group C was greater than that of group A, which was associated with the higher allo‐transfusion rate of group A. However, on the third postoperative day, the mean decreased value of hemoglobin of group B was less than that of group A and group C.

Perioperative multi‐modal blood management for PAO or PAO + PFO can significantly decrease intraoperative blood loss, reduce allo‐transfusion rate from over 80% to 0%, and ensure the rapid recovery of postoperative hemoglobin level.

• Blood preservation
• Blood transfusion
• Congenital
• Hip dislocation
• Intraoperative period
• Osteotomy
• Postoperative hemorrhage

• Arthroplasty
• Knee
• Length of stay
• Tourniquet
• Transfusion

With the use of tranexamic acid and control of the blood pressure during the operation, total knee arthroplasty (TKA) without tourniquet can be achieved. There is no exact standard for the control level of blood pressure during no tourniquet TKA. We explored the optimal level of blood pressure control during no tourniquet TKA surgery with the use of tranexamic acid in this study.

Patients underwent TKA were divided into three groups: the mean intraoperative systolic blood pressure in group A was < 90 mmHg, 90–100 mmHg in group B, > 100 mmHg in group C. Total blood loss (TBL), intraoperative blood loss, hidden blood loss, transfusion rate, maximum hemoglobin drop, operation time, and postoperative hospitalization days were recorded.

Two hundred seventy-eight patients were enrolled, 82 in group A, 105 in group B, and 91 in group C. Group A (663.3 ± 46.0 ml) and group B (679.9 ± 57.1 ml) had significantly lower TBL than group C (751.7 ± 56.2 ml). Group A (120.2 ± 18.7 ml) had the lowest intraoperative blood loss than groups B and C. Group C (26.0 ± 4.1 g/l) had the largest Hb change than groups A and B. Group A (62.3 ± 4.7 min) had the shortest operation time. The incidence rate of postoperative hypotension in group A (8, 9.8%) was significantly greater than groups B and C. No significant differences were found in other outcomes.

The systolic blood pressure from 90 to 100 mmHg was the optimal strategy for no tourniquet primary TKA with tranexamic acid.

• Controlled intraoperative hypotension
• Enhanced recovery
• Tourniquet
• Tranexamic acid

•

Tranexamic acid (TXA) can be administered via the intravenous (IV) and/or topical (intra-articular, IA) route, which can possibly interrupt the cascade of events due to hemostatic irregularities close to the source of bleeding.

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are associated with significant postoperative blood loss. Tranexamic acid (TXA) is a potent agent with antifibrinolytic activity, that can be administered via the intravenous (IV) and/or topical (intra-articular, IA) route, which can possibly interrupt the cascade of events due to hemostatic irregularities close to the source of bleeding. However, the literature contains scarce scientific evidence related to IV only TXA usage in TKA. The current study aims to compare the outcome between patients who were administered IV TXA and a control group in terms of blood loss, transfusion rate, and incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and thromboembolism (TE).

110 patients, who underwent TKA were placed into two groups: 1) 34 patients who received IV TXA; and 2) 76 patients in the control group. In the TXA group, patients received an IV TXA dose of 1 g, 30 min before incision. Two drains were placed.

Usage of IV TXA showed better results when compared to the control group in terms of mean blood transfusion (0.5 less transfusion during hospital stay), hemoglobin drop (10%). No cases of DVT or TE were noted among the two study groups.

Use of IV TXA provided significantly better results compared to no TXA use with respect to all variables related to postoperative blood loss in TKA. Moreover, TXA use is safe in terms of incidence of symptomatic DVT and TE.

• Allogeneic blood transfusion
• Blood loss
• Intravenous
• Total knee arthroplasty

• Analgesics/therapeutic use
• Anesthesia/methods
• Antibiotic Prophylaxis
• Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip/methods
• Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee/methods
• Blood Loss, Surgical/prevention & control
• Early Ambulation/methods
• Enhanced Recovery After Surgery
• Humans
• Pain, Postoperative/drug therapy
• Patient Education as Topic/methods
• Physical Therapy Modalities
• Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting/prevention & control
• Pulmonary Embolism/prevention & control
• Venous Thrombosis/prevention & control

• Deliberate hypotension
• Meta-analysis
• Orthopedic surgery
• Randomized controlled trial

• Blood Loss, Surgical/prevention & control
• Blood Transfusion/methods
• Humans
• Hypotension/complications
• Hypotension/physiopathology
• Orthopedic Procedures/adverse effects
• Orthopedic Procedures/methods
• Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic/methods

The present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combined use of intravenous (IV) TXA administration and topical intraarticular tranexamic acid (TXA) strategy in patients aged over 70 undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA).

One hundred eighty patients were randomized into three groups, including an IV group, a local group, and a combined group. Patients were administrated with 15 mg/kg of IV-TXA in the IV group, 2 g TXA in the topical group, or 15 mg/kg IV-TXA combined with 2 g TXA in the combined group. Total blood loss (TBL), maximum hemoglobin drop, the transfusion rate and the number of allogeneic blood units, and the incidence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT), and pulmonary embolism (PE) were recorded and analyzed.

TBL was 757.75 ± 188.95 mL in the combined group, which was significantly lower than in the IV group (892.75 ± 218.47) or the topical group (1015.75 ± 288.71) (p = 0.015, p = 0.001 respectively). The mean values of maximum hemoglobin drop in the combined, IV, and topical groups were 2.67 ± 0.42, 3.28 ± 0.52, and 3.75 ± 0.62 g/dL, respectively, with a significant intergroup difference (p < 0.001 for all). PE was not detected within 1 month after the surgery. Asymptomatic DVT was reported in 1 patient of the IV group, and in 2 patients from the combined group, while the difference was not statistically significant.

Compared to intravenous or topical use of TXA, the combined therapy effectively decreased total blood loss and reduced the transfusion rate, simultaneously possessed the same degree of safety in primary THA patients aged over 70.

• Blood loss
• Combined treatment
• Total hip arthroplasty
• Tranexamic acid

• Blood management
• Ethics
• Fast-track surgery
• Health care value
• Joint replacement
• Orthopedics

• Blood management
• Conservation strategies
• Total knee arthroplasty

• Anesthesia, General/methods
• Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee/adverse effects
• Blood Loss, Surgical/prevention & control
• Blood Transfusion
• Bloodless Medical and Surgical Procedures/methods
• Humans
• Perioperative Care/methods
• Postoperative Hemorrhage/etiology
• Postoperative Hemorrhage/prevention & control

Total knee replacement (TKR) is one of the most common surgeries over the last decade. Patients undergoing TKR are at high risk for postoperative anemia and furthermore for allogeneic blood transfusions (ABT). Complications associated with ABT including chills, rigor, fever, dyspnea, light-headedness should be early recognized in order to lead to a better prognosis. Therefore, perioperative blood management program should be adopted with main aim to reduce the risk of blood transfusion while maximizing hemoglobin simultaneously. Many blood conservation strategies have been attempted including preoperative autologous blood donation, acute normovolemic haemodilution, autologous blood transfusion, intraoperative cell saver, drain clamping, pneumatic tourniquet application, and the use of tranexamic acid. For practical and clinical reasons we will try to classify these strategies in three main stages/pillars: Pre-operative optimization, intra-operative and post-operative protocols. The aim of this work is review the strategies currently in use and reports our experience regarding the perioperative blood management strategies in TKR.

• Total knee replacement
• Transfusion
• Total knee arthroplasty
• Blood loss
• Autologous blood donation
• Blood management
• Perioperative
• Tranexamic acid
• Tourniquet
• Haemodilution
• Anaemia
• Transfusion protocol

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) accompanies the risk of bleeding and need for transfusion. There are several methods to reduce postoperative blood loss and blood transfusion. One such method is using tranexamic acid during TKA. The purpose of this study was to confirm whether tranexamic acid reduces postoperative blood loss and blood transfusion after TKA.

A total of 100 TKA patients were included in the study. The tranexamic acid group consisted of 50 patients who received an intravenous injection of tranexamic acid. The control included 50 patients who received a placebo injection. The amounts of drainage, postoperative hemoglobin, and transfusion were compared between the groups.

The mean amount of drainage was lower in the tranexamic acid group (580.6±355.0 mL) than the control group (886.0±375.5 mL). There was a reduction in the transfusion rate in the tranexamic acid group (48%) compared with the control group (64%). The hemoglobin level was higher in the tranexamic acid group than in the control group at 24 hours postoperatively. The mean units of transfusion were smaller in the tranexamic acid group (0.76 units) than in the control group (1.28 units).

Our data suggest that intravenous injection of tranexamic acid decreases the total blood loss and transfusion after TKA.

• Arthroplasty
• Blood loss
• Knee
• Transexamic acid
• Transfusion

• Arthroplasty
• Blood loss
• blood loss
• closed suction
• drainage
• drainage system
• knee
• postoperative
• replacement
• subcutaneous
• suction
• total knee arthroplasty

• Floseal
• Revision arthroplasty
• Thrombin-based topical haemostatic
• Total knee replacement
• Transfusion

• Blood conservation
• Orthopedic surgery
• Tranexamic acid

Simultaneous knee arthroplasty is associated with significant blood loss. To prevent transfusion, three preoperative doses of epoetin-α were offered to mildly anemic simultaneous knee arthroplasty patients. A retrospective review, using ICD-9 codes, identified twenty patients from 2007-2009. Epoetin-α increased hemoglobin levels preoperatively (12.6 to 13.9, p<0.01). Twenty patients who did not receive epoetin-α were matched to study patients. Study patients were transfused less (55% vs 95%, p=0.012) and had similar inpatient length of stay. The average blood loss without transfusion was 4.6g/dL. The mildly anemic patient is at high-risk for packed red cell transfusion during simultaneous knee arthroplasty. Three preoperative doses of epoetin-α in the mildly anemic patient decreased total transfusions; however, it did not affect inpatient length of stay.

• Single stage bilateral total knee arthroplasty
• anemia.
• degenerative joint disease
• epoetin-α
• pain
• simultaneous total knee arthroplasty
• tranexamic acid

Transfusions are a cause of significant patient morbidity as well as expense. Anesthesia literature has examined controlled intraoperative hypotension as a means for reducing blood loss and transfusions. Our hypothesis is that inversely increased blood pressure post-operatively would then lead to increased blood loss and transfusions.

We examined 105 consecutive patients who underwent TKA. We found a significant odds ratio of 1.123 for pre-operative hematocrit. For post-operative blood pressure, we calculated an insignificant odds ratio of 1.007, proving no relationship between post-operative blood pressure and transfusions.

This is the first study to examine increased post-operative blood pressure's contribution to transfusion rates. Although we confirmed that low pre-operative hematocrit contributes to increased transfusions, we did not find a relationship between post-operative blood pressure and transfusions.

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee/adverse effects
• Blood Loss, Surgical
• Blood Pressure
• Female
• Humans
• Hypertension/etiology
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Postoperative Complications
• Prognosis
• Retrospective Studies
• Transfusion Reaction

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is associated with a significant blood loss. Several methods have been reported to reduce postoperative blood loss and avoid homologous blood transfusions. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of temporary clamping of the drain either or not in combination with tranexamic acid administration for controlling blood loss after TKA.

The prospective, randomized, and double-blinded study was conducted in our institute. Total of 240 patients, who diagnosed primary osteoarthritis and scheduled to undergo a primary TKA,,were randomized into one of the four groups: Group A or control group, the drain was not clamped and the patient received a placebo; Group B, the drain was not clamped and the patient received tranexamic acid; Group C, the drain was clamped and the patient received a placebo; and Group D, the drain was clamped and the patient received tranexamic acid. The volume of drained blood at 48 hours postoperatively, the decreasing of hemoglobin (Hb) level at 12 hours postoperatively and the number of patients requiring blood transfusion were recorded and compared.

The mean postoperative volumes of drained blood and the amount of blood transfusion in the three study groups (group B, C and D) were significantly lower than those in the control group (p < 0.05), which group D had the lowest values. Furthermore, group B and D could maintain the Hb level better than group A and C (p < 0.001). In terms of blood transfusions rate, although the patients in group D required transfusion less than group A and C (p < 0.05), there was no significant difference between group D and B. The relative risks for transfusion requirement were 4.4 for group A, 1.4 for group B and 3.0 for group C when compared to group D.

The clamping of drain combined with tranexamic acid administration could reduce postoperative blood loss and blood transfusion after TKA, significantly greater than using tranexamic acid or drain clamping alone.

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01449552

Introduction. To evaluate the efficacy of epoetin-α prior to revision total knee arthroplasty, we hypothesized that epoetin-α will reduce blood transfusion. Methods. Eighty-one patients were compared in this retrospective review; twenty-eight patients received our dosing regimen. All patients were mildly anemic. Epoetin-α to control (1 : 2) patient matching occurred so that one of two attending surgeons, gender, BMI, complexity of surgery, ASA score, and age were similar between groups. The clinical triggers for blood transfusion during or after the procedure were determined based on peri- and postoperative hemoglobin levels, ASA score, and/or clinical symptoms consistent with anemia. Blood salvage was not used. Results. Blood transfusion and length of stay were lower in the study group. None of the patients who received epoetin-α underwent transfusion. Hemoglobin increased from 11.97 to 13.8, preoperatively. Hemoglobin at day of surgery and time of discharge were higher. Gender, BMI, ASA score, total and hidden blood losses, calculated blood loss, preop PLT, PT, PTT, and INR were similar between groups. One Epogen patient had an uncomplicated DVT (3.6%). Conclusions. Epoetin-α may have a role in the mildly anemic revision knee patient. It may also decrease patient length of stay allowing for earlier readiness to resume normal activities and/or meet short-term milestones. A randomized study to evaluate the direct and indirect costs of such a treatment methodology in the mildly anemic revision patient may be warranted.

To evaluate the efficacy of preoperative epoetin-α on the revision hip arthroplasty patient. We hypothesized that epoetin-α will reduce blood transfusion. A pertinent review of the literature is provided.

Forty-six patients were retrospectively reviewed. Sixteen patients received epoetin-α. Patients were case matched by age, preoperative hemoglobin, surgery, gender, and BMI. The clinical triggers for blood transfusion during or after the procedure were determined based on peri- and postoperative hemoglobin levels, ASA score, and/or clinical symptoms consistent with anemia. Blood salvage was not used.

Blood transfusion and length of stay were decreased in the epoetin-α group. Hemoglobin in the intervention group increased from 12.0 to 14.5, preoperatively. Patients who received epoetin-α were 0.78 (RR=0.225) times as likely to receive a transfusion. Number Needed to Treat (NNT) to avoid one allogeneic transfusion was 1.84. Age, Gender, BMI, ASA, total and hidden blood loss, preoperative Iron supplements, preop Hct, preop PLT, PT, PTT, and INR were similar. One (6.0%) patient developed an uncomplicated deep venous thrombosis in the intervention group.

The mildly anemic revision hip arthroplasty patient is at increased risk for transfusion. Epoetin-α increased preoperative hemoglobin counts and reduced transfusions in this study; it also decreased patient length of hospital stay likely allowing for an earlier readiness to resume normal activities and/or meet short-term milestones. A randomized study to evaluate the direct and indirect costs of such a treatment methodology in the mildly anemic revision patient may be warranted.

• Anemia
• autologous blood donation
• blood transfusion
• epoetin-α
• orthopedic surgery
• revision total hip arthroplasty.

Bilateral total knee arthroplasty is generally accompanied by a significant amount of blood loss. We investigated the relationship between the intensity of pain and the amount of blood loss in the early postoperative period after bilateral total knee arthroplasty.

A prospective study was conducted on 91 patients who underwent elective sequential bilateral total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis. All patients received combined spinal and epidural anesthesia. Patients were divided into three groups based on their scores on the verbal numerical rating scale (VNRS) for pain at 6 hours postoperatively. The VNRS was classified as follows; mild pain (n = 34, VNRS score 0-4), moderate pain (n = 24, VNRS score 5-6), and severe pain (n = 33, VNRS score 7-10). We compared the mean arterial pressures and the amount of blood loss during the first 24 postoperative hours in the three groups. Factors influencing postoperative blood loss were analyzed.

Postoperative mean arterial pressures and blood loss were not different among the groups. Of the factors examined, the amount of postoperative blood loss was only dependent on the amount of intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.001).

Early postoperative pain has no effect on postoperative blood pressure and the amount of blood loss after bilateral total knee arthroplasty. For postoperative blood loss, intraoperative blood loss is the main determinant.

• Arthroplasty
• Blood loss
• Knee
• Postoperative pain

• EPO
• allogeneic blood transfusion
• autologous blood transfusion
• blood loss
• elective orthopedic surgery
• fibrin sealant
• hemodilution
• iv iron
• platelet gel
• predonation

• Adrenergic beta-Antagonists/therapeutic use
• Analgesics, Opioid/therapeutic use
• Anesthetics/therapeutic use
• Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors/therapeutic use
• Autonomic Nervous System/drug effects
• Blood Loss, Surgical/prevention & control
• Humans
• Hypotension/etiology
• Hypotension/prevention & control
• Hypotension, Controlled/methods
• Surgical Procedures, Operative/adverse effects
• Vasodilator Agents/therapeutic use