Blood loss and contributing factors in femoral fracture surgery

• Published in: African health sciences Vol. 10; no. 1; pp. 18 - 25
• Main Authors: Kajja, I, Bimenya, G.S, Eindhoven, B, Jan ten Duis, H, Sibinga, C.T.S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Uganda Makerere University Medical School 01.03.2010; Makerere Medical School
• Subjects: Adult; Africa; African studies; Blood; Blood Loss, Surgical - prevention & control; Blood Loss, Surgical - statistics & numerical data; Bones; Changes; Electrocoagulation; Female; Femoral Fractures - classification; Femoral Fractures - surgery; Fracture Fixation, Internal - methods; Health and Medicine; Humans; Linear Models; Male; Middle Aged; Original; Perioperative Care; Prospective Studies; Regression analysis; Risk Factors; Sex Distribution; Surgery; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Uganda; Young Adult; Uganda
• ISSN: 1680-6905; 1729-0503

Background: Substantial blood losses frequently accompany orthopedic procedures. Methods: We prospectively noted peri-operative hemoglobin changes in 93 patients undergoing surgery for femoral fracture with an aim of establishing blood loss and related factors. Results: The mean total blood loss assessed 72 hours after the surgical procedure was 3.31 (SD 1.56) units of whole blood. A multiple regression analysis revealed diathermy use and a simple fracture pattern as significant factors in reducing blood loss (p<0.01). Conclusions: Open intramedullary fixation of femur fractures leads to considerable peri-operative blood loss. This is can be reduced by use of diathermy during surgery.