Incidence and Risk Factors for Blood Transfusion in Simultaneous Bilateral Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

Background

The aim of this study was to identify the incidence and risk factors for blood transfusion in patients undergoing simultaneous bilateral total hip arthroplasty (SBTHA) and simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty (SBTKA).

Methods

We identified 414 SBTHA and 1147 SBTKA procedures, and separated the patients into those who did and did not require allogeneic blood transfusion. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify independent risk factors for transfusion.

Results

The transfusion rate after SBTHA was 50.0%, and significant risk factors for transfusion were female gender (odds ratio [OR] = 2.612), lower body mass index (OR = 1.093), inflammatory arthritis (OR = 1.970), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class ≥3 (OR = 3.477), drain use (OR = 4.607), and increased intraoperative bleeding. We also found that higher preoperative hemoglobin (Hb) and tranexamic acid use decreased the risk of transfusion. The transfusion rate after SBTKA was 29.1%, and significant risk factors for transfusion were ASA class ≥3 (OR = 8.959), tourniquet use (OR = 2.129), drain use (OR = 4.970), and increased intraoperative bleeding. A higher preoperative Hb was the only protective factor for transfusion.

Conclusion

For SBTHA, the risk factors included female gender, lower body mass index, inflammatory arthritis, ASA class ≥3, drain use, and increased intraoperative bleeding, while for SBTKA, risk factors were ASA class ≥3, tourniquet use, drain use, and increased intraoperative bleeding. Increasing the preoperative Hb level may decrease transfusion risk. In addition, tranexamic acid was encouraged to use to decrease transfusion need in SBTHA.