The Journal of arthroplasty
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TKA and THA are associated with blood transfusion and risk for postoperative venothromboembolism (VTE). Reports show that tranexamic acid (TA) may be safe to use in high-risk orthopedic patients, but further data are needed to substantiate its use. ⋯ In 13,262 elective TKA or THA procedures, neither the odds of VTE (OR=0.98; 95% CI 0.67-1.45; P=0.939) or adjusted odds of death (OR=0.26; 95% CI 0.04-1.80; P=0.171) were significant with TA administration. The major findings of this large, single center, retrospective cohort study show the odds of postoperative VTE and 30-day mortality were unchanged with TA administration.
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Peri-operative tranexamic acid (TXA) significantly reduces the need for allogeneic blood transfusion in total hip arthroplasty (THA) and thus hospital costs are reduced. Before employing TXA in primary THA at our institution, facility costs were $286.90/THA for blood transfusion and required 0.45 man-hours/THA (transfusion rate 19.87%). After incorporating TXA, the cost for intravenous application was $123.38/THA for blood transfusion and TXA medication and 0.07 man-hours/THA (transfusion rate 4.39%) and the cost for topical application was $132.41/THA for blood transfusion and TXA and 0.14 man-hours/THA (transfusion rate 12.86%). TXA has the potential to reduce the facility cost per THA and the man-hours/THA from blood transfusions.
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Periprosthetic hip fractures around acetabular components are rare with little information available to guide surgical management of these complex injuries. A retrospective review of intraoperative isolated acetabular periprosthetic fractures from three tertiary surgical units was done. A total of 32 patients were identified with 9 initially missed. ⋯ Anterior patterns all healed, whereas fractures with posterior column instability had a 67% failure rate. Periprosthetic acetabular fracture can heal successfully with posterior column stability. Plating is mandatory for large posterior wall fragments to achieve osteointegration.
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Antibiotic-loaded cement spacers in first-stage revision hip arthroplasty for infection are associated with a high dislocation and fracture rate. This technical note describes a novel surgical technique, utilizing screws and cement, improving acetabular coverage and reducing the risk of mechanical failure. ⋯ No dislocations or fractures of the cement spacers were observed. This technique affords the potential to reduce the duration of time cement spacers remaining in situ, provides enhanced mechanical stability and improved antibiotic elution through cement-on-cement articulation.