Intravenous tranexamic acid is associated with safe reduced blood loss and transfusion rate in one-stage exchange for infected hip arthroplasty

Treatment of intractable septic ankle arthritis with a continuous closed irrigation system

OBJECTIVES

The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a continuous closed irrigation system (CCIS) after open debridement for patients with intractable septic ankle arthritis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The retrospective study analyzed the intractable septic arthritis of 12 (6 males, 6 females; mean age: 64.1±14.7 years; range, 33 to 80 years) patients managed by CCIS between July 2015 and July 2020. All patients had previously undergone operations to treat septic ankle arthritis without resolution of the infection. After open debridement, the CCIS was usually equipped with two outflow tubes and one inflow tube. Saline inflow was about 1 L per day.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up period was 30.8±14.9 (range, 15 to 70) months. The CCIS was maintained for a mean of 5.1±2.1 (range, 3 to 7) days. The mean number of operations the patients had previously undergone was 2.83±1.5 (range, 1 to 6). For 11 (91.6%) out of 12 patients, infection did not recur after one-time CCIS, and laboratory test results remained normal. Six patients had previously undergone total ankle replacement arthroplasty. These patients underwent antibiotics-mixed cement arthroplasty after CCIS. For five of six with infected total ankle replacement arthroplasty, infection did not recur after CCIS. However, one patient without the removal of both implants experienced recurrence at the same site after four postoperative months. In the reoperation, after the removal of both implants and the application of antibiotics-mixed cement arthroplasty, the infection was cleared.

CONCLUSION

Use of CCIS after open debridement for intractable septic ankle arthritis is a good treatment option since it is relatively simple and safe, with good results.

Does epinephrine use reduce perioperative blood loss during pelvic and femoral osteotomy with open reduction of the patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip?

OBJECTIVES

In this study, we aimed to investigate whether the use of epinephrine solution-impregnated gauzes and irrigation fluid with epinephrine could reduce perioperative blood loss during the combined surgical treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between January 2018 and June 2023, a total of 68 pediatric patients (8 males, 60 females; mean age: 32.4±13.2 months; range, 18 to 98 months) who underwent combined surgery for DDH were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups as those who used topical epinephrine in the surgical sites during combined surgical treatment (n=34) and those who did not (n=34). Demographic and clinical characteristics and pre-, intra-, and postoperative data were recorded. To avoid transfusion complications, blood transfusion was performed in only symptomatic patients in the postoperative period.

RESULTS

Age, sex, weight, and surgical duration were similar between the two groups (p>0.05). No statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of preoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit levels (p>0.05) There were statistically significantly differences between the groups in terms of postoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, perioperative amount of blood loss, and postoperative length of hospital stay (p<0.001). No significant difference was found between the groups in terms of intraoperative hemodynamic parameters (p>0.05). The differences in perioperative and estimated intraoperative blood loss amounts and length of hospital stay were statistically significant between the groups (p<0.001). There was a significant relationship between the groups in terms of perioperative and estimated intraoperative blood loss, and transfusion of blood products (p<0.01). Blood transfusion was administered to five patients in the no epinephrine group. No local complications were observed in any group; however, one patient had transfusion-related fever and one patient had allergic skin lesions in the no epinephrine group.

CONCLUSION

The intraoperative topical use of epinephrine irrigation solution and epinephrine solution-impregnated gauze dressings is effective and safe in reducing blood loss in DDH patients.

The role of triclosan-coated suture in preventing surgical infection: A meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

In this meta-analysis, we aimed to compare the differences in surgical site infection (SSI) between triclosan-coated and uncoated sutures after hip and knee arthroplasty.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases for randomized-controlled studies (RCTs) comparing triclosan-coated sutures with uncoated sutures for the prevention of SSIs after hip and knee arthroplasty. Literature screening and data curation were performed according to inclusion and exclusion criteria and the risk of bias was assessed for included research using Cochrane Handbook criteria.

RESULTS

Three RCTs with a total of 2,689 cases were finally included, including 1,296 cases in the triclosan-coated suture group and 1,393 cases in the control group. The overall incidence of SSI was lower in the group with triclosan antimicrobial sutures (1.9%) than in the uncoated suture group (2.5%), but the difference was statistically significant (odds ratio=0.76, 95% confidence interval: [0.45-1.27], p=0.30). The differences in the results of the incidence of superficial SSI and deep SSI were not statistically significant (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

The application of triclosan antimicrobial sutures did not reduce the incidence of SSI after hip and knee arthroplasty compared to the controls, and it needs further high-quality RCT studies to be improved.

Incidence and risk factors for blood transfusion in simultaneous bilateral total hip arthroplasty

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to investigate the incidence and risk factors for blood transfusion in patients undergoing simultaneous bilateral total hip arthroplasty (SimBTHA).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between January 2011 and June 2021, a total of 341 patients (289 males, 52 females; median age: 53 years; range, 43 to 66 years) who underwent SimBTHA were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups as those who did and did not require allogeneic blood transfusion. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify independent risk factors for transfusion.

RESULTS

The incidence of transfusion in SimBTHA was 12.9%. We found that a higher preoperative hemoglobin level (odds ratio [OR]: 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.86-0.96), tranexamic acid (TXA) use (OR: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.09-0.58), and intraoperative autologous blood transfusion from a closed suction drainage system (OR: 0.30; 95% CI: 0.09-0.80) were protective against the need for transfusion in patients after SimBTHA. In addition, drainage use (OR: 3.52; 95% CI: 1.49-8.32) and intraoperative blood loss (OR: 1.17; 95% CI: 1.04-1.33) were the independent risk factors for blood transfusion.

CONCLUSION

The risk factors for transfusion after SimBTHA should be evaluated to establish specific, personalized transfusion risk assessments for each individual patient. For SimBTHA, the main risk factors include intraoperative bleeding and the use of drainage tube, while higher preoperative hemoglobin levels, TXA use, and autologous blood transfusion from a closed suction drainage system may reduce transfusion risk.