Association Between Chronic Kidney Disease and Blood Transfusions for Knee and Hip Arthroplasty Surgery

The study aim is to assess associations between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and blood transfusions during hospitalization for joint arthroplasty. Patients with Stage IV–V CKD who underwent elective total knee or hip arthroplasty from 2007 to 2010 were matched 2:1 with age, gender, and surgery type controls without kidney disease. Multivariable analyses for transfusion risk with preoperative hemoglobin, body mass index, cardiovascular disease, and surgical complexity as explanatory variables were performed. Ninety CKD patients were identified and had lower preoperative hemoglobin, higher incidence of cardiovascular disease and blood transfusions. CKD was independently associated with increased odds of transfusions (2.88, 95% confidence interval 1.33–6.23, P = 0.007). Preoperative optimization of CKD patients should be considered to reduce transfusion rates.     

全膝置换患者围手术期输血原因分析

目的探讨全膝关节置换术中术后输血的影响因素。方法对51例择期、单侧、骨水泥型全膝置换患者,利用统计学方法评价年龄、性别、血压、体重指数和自体血液回输器的使用等因素对围手术期输血的影响。结果年龄、性别、高血压、体重指数和使用血液回输器等单一因素对全髋置换术围手术期输血无显著性影响,但当两个或更多的因素共同存在时,患者术中术后输血显著增加(P<0.05)。结论多个因素协同作用时,全膝置换患者术中术后输血的可能性明显增加。     

Allogeneic Blood Transfusion Is a Significant Risk Factor for Surgical-Site Infection Following Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: A Meta-Analysis

Background

Blood loss occurs significantly more frequently during total hip and knee arthroplasty than among any other type of orthopedic operation, which can sometimes lead to requiring a blood transfusion. Although allogeneic blood transfusion has been identified as a risk factor for postoperative surgical-site infection following arthroplasty, results are inconclusive. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic meta-analysis to investigate whether having an allogeneic blood transfusion significantly increases the risk for surgical-site infection, particularly after total hip and knee arthroplasty.

Perioperative Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Use Is Associated With an Increased Risk of Transfusion in Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty

BackgroundSelective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been shown in both orthopedic and general surgery literature to be associated with an increased risk of blood loss, and this is thought to occur via diminished platelet serotonin reuptake and subsequent decline in platelet aggregation potential. In this study, we aim at quantifying the effect of treatment with SSRIs on blood loss and transfusion rates following total hip (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA).MethodsTHA (4485) and TKA (5584) cases from January 2013 to December 2017 at the investigating institution were queried and analyzed separately from an institutional database. Patients were stratified by utilization of an SSRI at the time of surgery. Patient demographics, baseline coagulopathy, preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin, transfusion, and length of stay were obtained to compare the 2 cohorts.ResultsThe transfusion rate for SSRI users was 3.9% in the TKA group and 8.5% in the THA group. After controlling for age, gender, body mass index, presence of coagulopathy, procedure (THA vs TKA), and SSRI status, SSRI utilization was significantly associated with increased blood loss (P < .004), and logistic regression controlling for the same variables showed SSRI utilization to be predictive of transfusion (odds ratio, 1.476; P < .001).ConclusionSSRI utilization was associated with increased perioperative blood loss and predictive of transfusion risk, particularly with THA. This represents an important factor that may be modified in the setting of total joint arthroplasty but further work will be necessary to study potential alternative medications for depression in the perioperative phase.     

Topical Tranexamic Acid Reduces Blood Loss and Transfusion Rates in Total Hip and Total Knee Arthroplasty

The objective of this study was to determine if tranexamic acid (TXA) applied topically reduced postoperative bleeding and transfusion rates after primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) and primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Two hundred and ninety consecutive patients from a single surgeon were enrolled. In TKA, TXA solution was injected into the knee after closure of the arthrotomy. In THA, the joint was bathed in TXA solution at three points during the procedure. In both THA and TKA the TXA solution was at a concentration of 3 g TXA per 100 mL saline. The mean blood loss was significantly higher in the non-TXA patients in both TKA and THA groups. Postoperative transfusions decreased dramatically with TXA, dropping from 10% to 0%, and from 15% to 1%, in the TKA and THA groups, respectively. Topical application of TXA significantly reduces postoperative blood loss and transfusion risk in TKA and THA.     

Intra-Articular Knee Injections Before Total Knee Arthroplasty: Outcomes and Complication Rates

Background

The relationship between intra-articular injections and complication rates after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains controversial. This study's purpose was to determine the relationship between the number and timing of intra-articular injections with complications and outcomes after TKA from a single surgeon's database.

Independent Risk Factors for Transfusion in Contemporary Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty

BackgroundThe incidence of transfusion in contemporary revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) remains high despite recent advances in blood management, including the use of tranexamic acid. The purpose of this prospective investigation was to determine independent risk factors for transfusion in revision THA.MethodsSix centers prospectively collected data on 175 revision THAs. A multivariable logistic analysis was performed to determine independent risk factors for transfusion. Revisions were categorized into subgroups for analysis, including femur-only, acetabulum-only, both-component, explantation with spacer, and second-stage reimplantation. Patients undergoing an isolated modular exchange were excluded.ResultsTwenty-nine patients required at least one unit of blood (16.6%). In the logistic model, significant risk factors for transfusion were lower preoperative hemoglobin, higher preoperative international normalized ratio (INR), and longer operative time (P < .01, P = .04, P = .05, respectively). For each preoperative 1g/dL decrease in hemoglobin, the chance of transfusion increased by 79%. For each 0.1-unit increase in the preoperative INR, transfusion chance increased by 158%. For each additional operative hour, the chance of transfusion increased by 74%. There were no differences in transfusion rates among categories of revision hip surgery (P = .23). No differences in demographic or surgical variables were found between revision types.ConclusionDespite the use of tranexamic acid, transfusions are commonly required in revision THA. Preoperative hemoglobin and INR optimization are recommended when medically feasible. Efforts should also be made to decrease operative time when technically possible.     

Minimally Invasive Total Knee Arthroplasty: Is it for Everybody?

The development of new instrumentation and techniques has led to the rapid advancement of less invasive surgical approaches in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Compared to the standard approach, minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in TKA was shown to reduce postoperative pain, blood loss, and hospitalization time, and to improve functional recovery. Growing experience with MIS-TKA has defined the proper indications for this technique. With a limited exposure, the skin, capsular tissues, and bone surfaces receive higher stresses because of the retraction required. Several complications relating to the MIS learning curve are now being reported. The reliability of a TKA procedure performed through a mini-incision, and its success, seems to depend on patient selection, surgeon experience, and surgical environment.     

Blood Transfusion can be Avoided in Single-Anesthetic Bilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty

BackgroundFemale gender and surgical drain use have been associated with an increased transfusion risk following single-anesthetic bilateral total knee arthroplasty (SBTKA). This study evaluated allogenic blood transfusion rates among female and male patients undergoing SBTKA with intraoperative tourniquet, tranexamic acid and contemporary blood transfusion thresholds but without surgical drain use.MethodsWe performed a retrospective electronic medical record review for 125 consecutive patients undergoing SBTKA (250 knees) between May 1, 2015 and July 10, 2021. Patient demographic characteristics (age, gender, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists), preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin levels, perioperative transfusions, operative time, and hospital length of stay were compared between 76 female (60.8%) and 49 male (39.2%) patient cohorts using paired Student’s t-test or Fisher’s exact test with a P value <.05 for significance.ResultsNo patient in either gender-based cohort received a perioperative allogeneic or autologous blood transfusion (P = 1). There were no significant differences in patient demographic features or medical comorbidities. Male patients had significantly higher mean preoperative (14.7 versus 13.7 g/dL, P < .01) and postoperative (12.7 versus 11.8 g/dL, P < .01) hemoglobin levels and a shorter mean hospital length of stay (2.5 versus 3.0 days, P < .01). There was no difference in the mean operative time (154.7 versus 150.7 minutes, P = .34) or change in the hemoglobin level (2.1 versus 1.9 g/dL, P = .27).ConclusionSBTKA can be performed with a limited risk of perioperative transfusion with a combination of intraoperative tourniquet, tranexamic acid, conservative blood transfusion criteria, and avoidance of postoperative drain use. Study results were not influenced by patient gender.Level of evidenceThis is a level III, retrospective cohort study.     

Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty vs Total Knee Arthroplasty for Medial Compartment Arthritis in Patients Older Than 75 Years: Comparable Reoperation,Revision, and Complication Rates

Background

Prior studies comparing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) with total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in the elderly are limited by heterogeneity in arthritic disease patterns and patient selection. We report the results of UKA and TKA in patients 75 years and older with isolated medial compartmental arthritis, with special emphasis on immediate postoperative recovery, complications, reoperation rates, and implant survivorship at midterm follow-up.

Reasons and Risk Factors for 30-Day Readmission After Outpatient Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Review of 3015 Cases

BackgroundA higher volume of primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is starting to be performed in the outpatient setting. However, data on appropriate patient selection in the current literature are scarce.MethodsPatients who underwent primary TKA were identified in the 2012-2017 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Outpatient procedure was defined as having a hospital length of stay of 0 days. The primary outcome was a readmission within the 30-day postoperative period. Reasons for and timing of readmission were identified. Risk factors for and effect of overnight hospital stay on 30-day readmission were evaluated.ResultsA total of 3015 outpatient TKA patients were identified. The incidence of 30-day readmission was 2.59% (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.02-3.15). The majority of readmissions were nonsurgical site related (64%), which included thromboembolic and gastrointestinal complications. Risk factors for 30-day readmission include dependent functional status prior to surgery (relative risk [RR] 6.4, 95% CI 1.91-21.67, P = .003), hypertension (RR 2.5, 95% CI 1.47-4.25, P = .001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (RR 2.4, 95% CI 1.01-5.62, P = .047), and operative time ≥91 minutes (≥70th percentile) (RR 1.9, 95% CI 1.17-2.98, P = .008). For patients who had some of these risk factors, their rate of 30-day readmission was significantly reduced if they had stayed at least 1 night at the hospital.ConclusionOverall, the rate of 30-day readmission after outpatient TKA was low. Patients who are at high risk for 30-day readmission after outpatient TKA include those with dependent functional status, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and prolonged operative time. These patients had reduced readmissions after overnight admission and seem to benefit from an inpatient hospital stay.     

Predictors of 30-Day Readmission After Total Knee Arthroplasty: Analysis of 566,323 Procedures in the United Kingdom

Background

All-cause 30-day readmission after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is currently used as a measure of hospital performance in the United States and elsewhere. Readmissions from surgical causes may more accurately reflect preventability and costs. However, little is known about whether predictors of each type of readmission differ.

Readmission,Reoperation, and Complications: Total Hip vs Total Knee Arthroplasty

Background

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are currently grouped under the same Diagnosis-Related Group (DRG). With the introduction of bundled payments, providers are accountable for all the costs incurred during the episode of care, including the costs of readmissions and management of complications. However, it is unclear whether readmission rates and short-term complications are similar in primary THA and TKA.

Total Joint Arthroplasty Readmission Rates and Reasons for 30-Day Hospital Readmission

Given institutional pressures to reduce hospital length of stay (LOS) we hypothesized that “failure to cope” would be a significant factor for readmission following total joint arthroplasty (TJA). A retrospective review of 4288 TJA patients was conducted to determine readmission rates and reasons for readmit within 30 days of discharge. Ninety-five patients (2.2%; 95% CI: 1.8%–2.7%) were readmitted. Leading diagnoses were surgical site infection (23.2%) and cardiovascular event (16.8%). Of readmits 5.3% (5/95) were readmitted for failure to cope, representing 0.1% of the sample. In multivariate analysis, increased age was a significant predictor of readmission (OR = 0.974, 95% CI 0.952–0.997). Contrary to our hypothesis failure to cope was not a leading diagnosis for readmission; concerns remain that early discharge may however correlate with increased readmit rates.     

Extremely Low Transfusion Rates: Contemporary Primary Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasties

Background

Considerable blood loss which requires transfusion is frequently reported after total hip and knee arthroplasties (THA and TKA). The purpose of this study is to review the transfusion rates in contemporary THA and TKA with optimized perioperative protocols including minimized surgical trauma and optimal perioperative patient care.

Morbid Obesity in Total Knee Arthroplasty: Joint-Specific Variance in Outcomes for Operative Time,Length of Stay,and Readmission

Background

It is increasingly apparent that the effect of obesity in arthroplasty is joint-specific. This study evaluates the effects of morbid obesity on primary total knee arthroplasty by comparing short-term outcomes between a morbidly obese (body mass index ≥40 kg/m²) and a normal weight (body mass index 18.5-<25 kg/m²) cohort at our institution between January 2003 and December 2010.