No abstract

The effect of closed-suction drainage with redcell reinfusion on patients receiving low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) prophylaxis after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has not been previously studied. Therefore, our goals were to determine the effect of reinfusion drains and LMWH on allogeneic transfusions and wound complications after TKA by comparing patients treated with and without drains. Overall, transfusion rates were lower in the drain group (40% vs 15%, P=.04). Patients with reinfusion drains had a significantly higher rate of allogeneic transfusion (15.8%) than those predonating autologous blood and no drain (5.4%, P=.0003). The drain group had lower rates of wound complications (P=not significant). We were unable to demonstrate the efficacy of red-cell reinfusion as a substitute for autologous donation in TKA.

The Omnifit-HA femoral stem component has shown excellent results in early clinical studies. This is an independent prospective study of the outcome of a ydroxyapatite-coated femoral component implanted by one surgeon with an intermediate-term follow up. The senior author performed 103 consecutive uncemented total hip arthroplasties in 96 patients from July 1991 to December 1996. The components implanted were the Omnifit-HA femoral stem and the Omnifit PSL porous-coated acetabular shell. The mean age at the time of the index procedure was 52 years old (range, 27–78) and male:female ratio was 54:42. Three patients were deceased and four patients were lost to follow-up. The mean follow up was 10.3 years (range, 7.3–12.7 years). Clinical and radiographic evaluations were performed by an independent observer. The average preoperative and postoperative Harris Hip Scores were 55 and 92, respectively. The overall survivorship of the Omnifit-HA stem was 100% with no femoral revisions. The survivorship of the Omnifit PSL cup was 89.7% with 4 acetabular revisions for aseptic loosening and 6 polyethelene liner exchanges for osteolysis or late instability. The mean polyethylene wear rate was 0.24 mm per year. This long-term follow up shows that the use of circumferentially coated hydroxyapatite stems can protect against the migration of wear debris along the femoral stem.