No abstract

PURPOSE OF THE STUDYThe aim of this prospective study was to investigate the effect of topical application of tranexamic acid (TXA, Exacyl) on the amount of post-operative blood loss, and blood transfusion requirement in patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Attention was paid to early complications potentially associated with TXA administration, such as haematoma, wound exudate, or knee swelling. In addition, the economic benefit of TXA treatment was also taken into account. MATERIAL AND METHODSThe study included 238 patients (85 men and 153 women) who underwent primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) at our department between January 2013 and November 2015. A group of 119 patients (41 men and 78 women) received intraarticular TXA injections according to the treatment protocol (TXA group). A control group matched in basic characteristics to the TXA group also consisted of 119 patients. The average age in the TXA group was 69.8 years, and the most frequent indication for TKA surgery was primary knee osteoarthritis (81.5%). In each patient, post-operative volume of blood lost from drains and total blood loss including hidden blood loss were recorded, as well as post-operative haemoglobin and haematocrit levels. On discharge of each patient from hospital, the size and site of a haematoma; wound exudate, if present after post-operative day 4; joint swelling; range of motion and early revision surgery, if performed, were evaluated. Requirements of analgesic drugs after surgery were also recorded. RESULTSIn the TXA group, blood losses from drains were significantly lower than in the control group (456.7 ± 270.8 vs 640.5 ±448.2; p = 0.004). The median value for blood losses from drains was lower by 22% and the average value for total blood loss, including hidden losses, was also lower than in the control group (762.4 ± 345.2 ml vs 995.5 ± 457.3 ml). The difference in the total amount of blood loss between the two groups was significant (p = 0.0001), including hidden blood loss (p = 0.030). The TXA patients had significantly fewer requirements for allogeneic blood transfusion (p < 0.0004), higher post-operative haemoglobin levels (p = 0.014), lower incidence of haematomas (p = 0.0003), and a significantly higher flexion degree on discharge from hospital (p < 0.0001). No higher volume of wound drainage was found (p = 1.000). Only one patient of the TXA group underwent revision surgery due to wound healing disturbance. The total costs of blood transfusion requirements were significantly lower in the TXA group than in the control group (p = 0.0004). DISCUSSIONTopical administration allows the antifibrinolytic effect of TXA to act directly at a bleeding site. Its advantages involve easy application, maximum TXA concentration at the site of application, no danger associated with administration of a higher TXA dose and minimal TXA resorption into the circulation. On the other hand, there are no exact instructions for an effective and safe topical application of TXA and some authors are concerned that a coag...

No abstract

PURPOSE OF THE STUDYThe aim of the study was to analyse the long-term clinical and radiographic results of total hip arthroplasty (THA) with the Bicontact-Plasmacup prosthesis, MATERIAL AND METHODSIn this retrospective observational study, 34 consecutive patients undergoing Bicontact-Plasmacup THA between August 1998 and July 2000 were evaluated. The group included 15 women and 19 men with an average age of 56 years (30 to 67 years). The mean ± SD of follow-up was 132 ± 9 months (122 to 149 months). Patients' satisfaction with the treatment outcome and selected clinical and radiographic features were evaluated. The data were analysed using the concordance test, Spearman's correlation coefficient and chi-square test. RESULTSAt the final follow-up, 94% of the interviewed patients reported satisfaction with the surgery outcome. The mean Harris score was 93 (67 to 98) points, with excellent or very good results in 91% of the patients. Compared with the post-operative radiographs, the mean ± SD value for vertical migration of the acetabular cup was 2.43 ± 3.21 mm (0 to 12 mm) and that for horizontal migration was 0.35 ± 1.0 mm (0 to 4.3 mm). The mean stem subsidence was by 3.87 mm (range, 0.36 to 21.11 mm; SD 4.03). At the final follow-up, all implants showed radiographic stability and absence of radiolucent lines. Early acetabular osteolysis was detected in two patients (5.9 %). In 19 patients (56%) a change in bone architecture, similar to alterations due to weight-bearing adaptation, was seen around the cup following surgery. The stress shielding effect of the femoral component was recorded in 79%, bypass phenomenon in 41 % and pedestal formation under the apex of the stem in 18% of the patients. The mean rate of polyethylene wear measured by the Dorr and Wan method was 0.106 mm per year (range, 0.00 to 0.267 mm) or it was 0.078 mm per year (0.00 to 0.19 mm) when assessed by a modification of the method described by Kang et al. DISCUSSIONThe clinical and radiographic findings presented here are in accordance with the relevant literature data. This implant design is associated with a relatively infrequent osteolysis around the cup probably due to a low wear rate of polyethylene and a stable polyethylene liner-metal cup interface. Based on this work and some other studies it can be concluded that a post-operative migration of several millimetres is compatible with a long-term, stable cementless THA. CONCLUSIONSThe Bicontact-Plasmacup THA meets the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) criteria for a very good implant (ten-year survival rate of over 90%). At 10 years after surgery, however, the first signs of complaints about surgery outcome // dissatisfaction with surgery outcomes were recorded. This may, at least partly, be related to aseptic loosening which is one of the symptoms of particle disease.