Nondrainage Decreases Blood Transfusion Need and Infection Rate in Bilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty

• Published in: The Journal of arthroplasty Vol. 29; no. 5; pp. 993 - 997
• Main Authors: Demirkale, Ismail, MD, Tecimel, Osman, MD, Sesen, Hakan, MD, Kilicarslan, Kasim, MD, Altay, Murat, MD, Dogan, Metin, MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.05.2014
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee - methods; blood loss; Blood Transfusion; Female; Hemovac drain; Humans; Infection - etiology; infection rate; Male; Middle Aged; Orthopedics; Postoperative Hemorrhage - etiology; Postoperative Hemorrhage - therapy; Retrospective Studies; Suction - adverse effects; infection rate; blood loss; Hemovac drain
• ISSN: 0883-5403; 1532-8406
• DOI: 10.1016/j.arth.2013.10.022

Abstract This retrospective study enrolled 526 patients undergoing bilateral total knee arthroplasties at our institution. In nondrainage group (Group 1) of 255 patients (510 knees), a disposable elastic sterile exsanguination tourniquet (HemaClear), wound closure in layers and Jones Bandage, without pre-tourniquet removal hemostasis or Hemovac drain were used. In drainage group (Group 2) of 227 patients (454 knees), pneumatic tourniquet, post-deflation hemostasis, a Hemovac drain and Jones bandage were used. The maximal drop in hemoglobin was significantly greater in Group 2 than Group 1 ( P < 0.001). Also infection rate was significantly lower in Group 1 ( P = 0.017). The use of sterile tourniquet removed after wound closure without Hemovac drain decreases blood transfusion need, infection rate, tourniquet related pain and postoperative complications.