Blood Transfusion in Primary Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty. Incidence, Risk Factors, and Thirty-Day Complication Rates

Abstract

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Major Complications and Transfusion Rates After Hemiarthroplasty and Total Hip Arthroplasty for Femoral Neck Fractures

“…Complications related to blood transfusions include hematogenic infections (human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis) and transfusion-related immunomodulation, which has been associated with increased local and general infection rates [34][35][36]. More commonly, transfusions have been shown to prolong length of stay, increase in-patient costs, and mortality after orthopedic procedures [37][38][39]. Levi et al [35] showed a significantly higher wound infection rate for patients receiving blood transfusions after femoral neck fracture (7.05% vs 3.71%, P < .05), whereas Koval et al [36] associated perioperative transfusions after femoral neck fractures with urinary tract infections.…”

Fast Track Surgery Program in Knee Replacement

“…It could lead to resultant anemia which leads to further need of blood transfusion associated morbidity and mortality [28]. Therefore, it is always an important issue to avoid massive blood loss during and after TKA procedure.…”

Pearls to Prevent Peri-Operative Blood Loss in THR & TKR

“…The blood loss is attributed to creation of large bleeding bony surfaces, potential spaces for blood to accumulate, blood transfusions and will to move the joint early in the post-operative period, further increasing the bleeding. The incidence of blood transfusions in post-operative period for patients undergoing THR & TKR is estimated to be between 20 and 50% [3,4] . It is a well established fact that there are many complications associated with allogenic blood transfusion.…”

“…It is a well established fact that there are many complications associated with allogenic blood transfusion. A comparison between patients receiving blood transfusion and those who Section: Orthopaedics do not it is found that an increased duration of hospital stay, increased fluid overload, higher incidence of infection and pulmonary complications are associated with the first group of patients [4][5][6] . There are many other major complications of blood transfusion [7] .…”