The Journal of arthroplasty
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This study evaluated the effect of a new multimodal perioperative anesthetic and pain management strategy for primary total hip (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Two cohorts of 50 consecutive THA and 50 TKA patients from before and after initiation of the new protocol were compared. The protocol involved scheduled oral narcotics, cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, no intrathecal narcotics, femoral nerve catheters for TKAs, and local anesthetic wound infiltration. ⋯ There were statistically significant improvements after the protocol regarding rest-pain scores post-operative day (POD) 1 and 2, total narcotic consumption, distance walked POD 1 and 2, and length of stay. There were no significant differences in complications. Implementation of this new multimodal perioperative protocol combined with early mobilization for TKA and THA patients has shortened length of stay, improved pain control, and accomplished therapy goals sooner with less narcotic consumption.
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Total hip arthroplasty is associated with significant blood loss that often requires allogenic blood transfusions. Tranexamic acid and aprotinin have been shown to reduce blood loss and transfusions in clinical trials with variable results. This meta-analysis evaluates whether tranexamic acid and aprotinin significantly reduces blood loss and transfusion requirements in total hip arthroplasty. ⋯ Separately, only aprotinin was found to be significant. The data also showed that aprotinin (tranexamic acid is inconclusive) is only beneficial in revision total hip arthroplasty. Therefore, only aprotinin is effective in reducing both blood loss and transfusion requirements without an increase in thromboembolic complications in patients undergoing revision total hip arthroplasty.
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Comparative Study
Prospective analysis of a novel long-acting oral opioid analgesic regimen for pain control after total hip and knee arthroplasty.
Parenteral opioid use after total knee (TKA) and hip (THA) arthroplasty often results in substantial functional interference and side effects. This prospective study compared use of traditional intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV PCA) with a novel oral regimen after TKA and THA. Sixty-two patients received IV PCA and 62 received scheduled long-acting and, as needed, short-acting oral opioids postoperatively. ⋯ Patients who received the oral regimen had significantly less opioid consumption (P < .05) and experienced less functional interference (P < .05) than the IV PCA group. Both groups had similar pain scores and incidence of opioid side effects. This study demonstrates some significant advantages of an oral analgesic regimen compared with IV PCA after TKA and THA.
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We present a case of a Smith-Petersen mould arthroplasty in a 77-year-old man. The implant was inserted by Sir John Charnley himself in 1948. The patient is pain-free and walks without aids. At 56 years, this case represents the longest surviving Smith-Petersen mould arthroplasty with a satisfactory result in the current literature.