Bone Density May Be a Promising Predictor for Blood Loss during Total Hip Arthroplasty

The efficacy of tranexamic acid in perioperative bleeding following total hip arthroplasty through different surgical approaches: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction

Tranexamic acid (TXA) has been documented to reduce perioperative blood loss following orthopedic surgeries, such as total hip arthroplasty (THA). Previous studies focused on the best applicable dose and administration method to minimize blood loss. Although the surgical approach is another factor that may influence perioperative bleeding, no previous research has examined its concurrent impact alongside TXA. This meta-analysis investigated the effect of intravenous TXA on perioperative bleeding in primary THA, focusing on the surgical approach used.

Method

The authors searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and the Cochrane Library through November 2022. Fourteen studies, comprising 1358 patients, were identified as suitable for inclusion in this meta-analysis. To assess perioperative bleeding, hemoglobin (Hb) decline, transfused blood products, total blood loss (TBL), and intraoperative blood loss (IOBL) were recorded.

Results

The study showed that the lateral approach (LA) maintains the postoperative Hb level more effectively (WMD = 1.081, 95 % CI: 0.620-1.541). Significantly less IOBL was observed with the posterolateral approach (PLA; WMD = -70.578, 95 % CI: [-130.389] - [-10.766]). The posterior approach (PA) was associated with a reduction in TBL (WMD = -392, 95 % CI: [-474.439] - [-310.231], P-value <0.0001).

Conclusion

The surgical approach plays a significant role in blood management during surgery. Overall, the PLA resulted in the least IOBL, while the LA was associated with the least blood transfusion and a decline in Hb level. Additionally, the PA was linked to the lowest TBL.

Direct superior approach versus posterolateral approach in mid-term clinical outcomes of total hip arthroplasty: a prospective randomized controlled study

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to compare mid-term clinical outcome of direct superior approach (DSA) and posterolateral approach (PLA) in THA.

METHOD

Seventy-eight patients who underwent THA from January 2021 to June 2021 were prospectively enrolled and randomly allocated into DSA group and PLA group. The surgical duration, incision length, total blood loss, ambulation time, visual analogue scale (VAS), patient satisfaction, Harris hip score (HHS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) score, postoperative leg length discrepancy (LLD), abduction angle, anteversion angle and complications were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Thirty three patients were randomized to the PLA group and 32 patients allocated to the DSA group. The average follow-up period was 39.8 months in DSA group and 40.1 months in PLA group. Compared with PLA group, DSA group had longer surgical duration ([124.1 ± 11.2] min vs. [103.3 ± 20.7] min), less total blood loss ([482.4 ± 236.1] ml vs. [680.2 ± 299.4] ml), shorter incision ([8.7 ± 1.9] cm vs. [15.6 ± 1.7] cm), and earlier ambulation time ([15.8 ± 4.0] h vs. [20.5 ± 3.5] h), with statistically significant differences (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, the DSA group had significantly lower WOMAC Scores compared to the PLA group at 1-year postoperatively (P = 0.011), and had significantly lower WOMAC Function Scores and WOMAC Stiffness Scores both at 1-year postoperatively and at the last follow-up. The anteversion angle of the cup in the DSA Group was significantly smaller than the PLA Group at postoperative day (POD) 3 and the last follow-up (P = 0.006 and P = 0.010, respectively). However, there was no difference in postoperative patient satisfaction, complication, LLD or HHS between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

DSA demonstrated benefits in terms of reduced blood loss, improved pain scores, shorter incisions, and earlier ambulation. These advantages support the use of DSA for promoting early recovery and better mid-term functional outcomes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study protocol was registered on Chinese Clinical Trial Register (ChiCTR) with the register number ChiCTR2000041186 (registration date: 2020/12/21).

Mid- to long-term clinical outcomes of modified technique skip-level titanium plate fixation in cervical laminoplasty compared to continuous fixation

PURPOSE

To compare the efficacy and safety of skip titanium plates combined with adjacent spinous process suture suspension versus continuous titanium plate fixation in cervical laminoplasty.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 125 patients (62 men, 63 women, average age 60.9 ± 10.4 years) with multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy who had cervical laminoplasty with Arch titanium plate fixation from January 2012 to March 2024 in our hospital was done. Patients were stratified into two cohorts based on the fixation technique: Group A (n = 64): Modified technique of skip-level titanium plate fixation (Arch titanium plates at C4 and C6 levels combined with adjacent spinous process suture suspension)Group B (n = 61): Continuous plating (Arch titanium plates applied sequentially from C3 to C7).The comparative analysis focused on perioperative parameters (operative duration, intraoperative blood loss, length of hospital stay), economic factors (hospital costs), and various clinical indicators.

RESULTS

The average follow up period was (73.0 ± 38.4) months. Both groups showed no significant differences in gender, age, and disease duration (P > 0.05). Group A had lower hospitalization costs, intraoperative blood loss, operation time, and postoperative hospital stay compared to Group B (P < 0.05). Postoperatively, both groups had significant improvements in JOA scores and NDI (P < 0.005), but there were no significant differences in postoperative scores and improvement rates between the two groups (P > 0.05). At 3 months postoperatively and at the last follow-up, the C2-7 Cobb angle and cervical curvature index decreased compared to preoperative values (P < 0.05), with a significant difference in the C2-7 Cobb angle at the last follow-up (P < 0.05). The sagittal diameter of the spinal canal from C3 to C7 significantly increased (P < 0.05), but there were no significant differences in the improvement of C3, C5, and C7 between the two groups (P > 0.05). At 3 months postoperatively, the opening angles of the C4 and C6 laminae in Group A were smaller than those in Group B (P < 0.05), but there were no significant differences at the last follow-up (P > 0.05). The healing of the C4 and C6 laminae in Group B was superior to that in Group A (P < 0.05), but there were no differences in healing at the last follow-up (P > 0.05). The incidence of axial symptoms was similar (10.9% in Group A and 14.8% in Group B, P = 0.523).

CONCLUSIONS

During C3-7 laminoplasty, the clinical efficacy of the method combining mini titanium plate fixation (at C4 and C6) with suture fixation is comparable to that of continuous fixation. Moreover, it has an advantage in cost control.

Total Hip Arthroplasty in Patients with Hip Osteoporosis: A Narrative Review

Osteoporosis and osteopenia can affect patients undergoing arthroplasty of the hip, which is typically recommended for patients with severe osteoarthritis or elderly patients with a femoral neck fracture. Preoperative screening for this type of bone loss could be helpful to patients and prevent poor outcomes due to the rate of underdiagnosis of osteoporosis, which can reach 73% in patients undergoing hip arthroplasty. Complications associated with low bone mineral density include periprosthetic fractures as well as an increased revision rate. Although the benefit of antiresorptive medications postoperatively has been demonstrated, when administered preoperatively, worse outcomes were reported compared to its non-usage. Surgical management is as important as pre-medication. According to general recommendations, cemented implants provide greater benefit in osteoporotic patients. However, when using cementless implants, ribbed stems, straight tapered stems, stems with medial calcar contact, and titanium-composed stems can be used to prevent periprosthetic loss of bone mineral density; however, they should not be placed in a varus position. These stems can also be coated with zoledronate and other products.

The correlation between coagulation biomarkers, bone turnover markers, and bone mineral density in Chinese adults aged ≥ 50 years

Introduction

Osteoporosis patients undergoing surgery often have significant bleeding, which is closely related to coagulation function. This study aimed to assess the correlation between bone turnover markers (BTMs), bone mineral density (BMD), and coagulation biomarkers.

Material and methods

Cases meeting the inclusion criteria were included from our center from January 2020 to December 2021. The relationships between coagulation biomarkers, BTMs, and BMD were investigated by Spearman correlation analysis and canonical correlation analysis (CCA). Consequently, age, bone mass stage, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-(OH)D), and BMD were included as independent variables in the logistic regression model. Furthermore, the international normalized ratio (INR), fibrinogen, platelets, and D-dimer levels were set as dependent variables in the regression analysis. Finally, multivariable regressions were conducted to adjust for differences in demographics and comorbidities among groups.

Results

A total of 306 patients were included in the study. Significant differences were observed in prothrombin time, fibrinogen, INR, D-dimer, and platelets (p < 0.05). D-dimer exhibited the most significant positive association with age and the most pronounced negative correlation with the BMD of Ward's triangle (r = 0.322, p < 0.001; r = -0.298, p < 0.001; respectively). 25-(OH)D and calcium were related to coagulation biomarkers. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that age was positively associated with D-dimer levels (odd ratio [OR] = 1.046, p = 0.007), while the BMD of Ward's triangle was negatively related to D-dimer levels (OR = 0.004, p = 0.0017).

Conclusions

For the Chinese population aged 50 and above, attention should be paid to alterations in coagulation biomarkers.

Establishment and validation of a nomogram to predict postoperative anemia after total hip arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Anemia is a common complication of total hip arthroplasty (THA). In this study, we evaluated the preoperative risk factors for postoperative anemia after THA and developed a nomogram model based on related preoperative and intraoperative factors.

METHODS

From January 2020 to May 2023, 927 THA patients at the same medical center were randomly assigned to either the training or validation cohort. The correlation between preoperative and intraoperative risk factors and postoperative anemia after THA was evaluated using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. A nomogram was developed using these predictive variables. The effectiveness and validation for the clinical application of this nomogram were evaluated using the concordance index (C-index), receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA).

RESULTS

Through univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis, 7 independent predictive factors were identified in the training cohort: Lower body mass index (BMI), extended operation time, greater intraoperative bleeding, lower preoperative hemoglobin level, abnormally high preoperative serum amyloid A (SAA) level, history of cerebrovascular disease, and history of osteoporosis. The C-index of the model was 0.871, while the AUC indices for the training and validation cohorts were 84.4% and 87.1%, respectively. In addition, the calibration curves of both cohorts showed excellent consistency between the observed and predicted probabilities. The DCA curves of the training and validation cohorts were high, indicating the high clinical applicability of the model.

CONCLUSIONS

Lower BMI, extended operation time, increased intraoperative bleeding, reduced preoperative hemoglobin level, elevated preoperative SAA level, history of cerebrovascular disease, and history of osteoporosis were seven independent preoperative risk factors associated with postoperative anemia after THA. The nomogram developed could aid in predicting postoperative anemia, facilitating advanced preparation, and enhancing blood management. Furthermore, the nomogram could assist clinicians in identifying patients most at risk for postoperative anemia.