Abstract

OBJECTIVE It remains unclear whether transfusion strategies during orthopedic surgery and infection are related. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether liberal blood transfusion strategies contribute to infection risk in orthopedic patients by analyzing randomized controlled trials (RCTs). METHODS RCTs with liberal versus restrictive red blood cell (RBC) transfusion strategies were identified by searching PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from their inception to July 2019. Ten studies with infections as outcomes were included in the final analysis. According to the Jadad scale, all studies were considered to be of high quality. RESULTS Ten trials involving 3938 participants were included in this study. The pooled risk ratio (RR) for the association between liberal transfusion strategy and infection was 1.34 (95% confidence intervals [CI], 0.94-1.90; P = .106). The sensitivity analysis indicated unstable results, and no significant publication bias was observed. CONCLUSION This pooled analysis of RCTs demonstrates that liberal transfusion strategies in orthopedic patients result in a nonsignificant increase in infections compared with more restrictive strategies. The conclusions are mainly based on retrospective studies and should not be considered as recommendation before they are supported by larger scale and well-designed RCTs.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To ivestigate the effect of stored autotransfusion on the electrolytes and postoperative complications in patients undergoing elective orthopedic surgery. METHODS A total of 76 cases of patients undergoing elective orthopedic surgery were randomly divided into an observation group (38 cases, taking stored autotransfusion) and a control group (38 cases, taking allogeneic blood transfusion) according to a random number table method. The intraoperative-related indexes (intraoperative blood loss, autologous or allogeneic blood transfusion volume, urine volume, and length of hospital stay), electrolyte levels before and 48 hours after the operation, routine blood and coagulation function were compared between the two groups, and the postoperative complications related to blood transfusion were recorded. RESULTS The length of hospital stay of the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). The concentrations of K(+) and Na(+) in the control group 48 h after the operation were higher than those before the operation and than those in the observation group, while the concentration of Ca(2+) was lower than that before the operation and that in the observation group (all P<0.05). The levels of Hb, RBC, and HCT in the control group 48 h after the operation were lower than those before the operation and those in the observation group (all P<0.05). The levels of WBC in the two groups 48 h after the operation were significantly higher, but those in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05). There were no significant changes in Pt, APTT, D-D, and FIB levels between the two groups. There were no significant changes in Pt, APTT, D-D, and FIB levels 48 hours after the operation compared with those before the operation (P>0.05). The incidence of postoperative complications caused by blood transfusion in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Storage autotransfusion can effectively balance the electrolyte level and reduce the incidence of complications in patients undergoing elective orthopedic surgery. This is worthy of clinical application.

Abstract

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients can be a challenging procedure.This systematic review evaluated the revision rate, functional outcomes and complications of THA in sicklers.A systematic search was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines, using four search engines from inception to May 2019.Fifteen studies with 971 THAs were included. There were 437 cemented and 520 uncemented THAs.There were 164 revision THAs (16.8%); 52 uncemented and 105 cemented THAs.Forty-two infections were recorded; 16 infections for cemented and 23 for uncemented THAs.Fifty-seven cups, 26 stems, eight cup/stem with aseptic loosening that were more frequently cemented were reported. The 28 unspecified aseptic loosening cases were more frequently uncemented THAs.All studies demonstrated the functional improvement of patients.There were 109 medical complications (14.3%). Sickle cell crises (SCC) and transfusion reactions were most usually recorded.Forty-six intraoperative complications (4.7%) were reported; 18 femoral fractures, four acetabular and 18 femoral perforations. Seventeen femoral fractures occurred during uncemented THA.THA in SCD is still related to a high risk of complications. The outcomes in properly selected sicklers have been improved. Perioperative adequate hydration, warming, oxygen supply and transfusion protocols are mandated to prevent SCC and transfusion reactions. The surgeon must be prepared to deal with a high rate of intraoperative fractures and have different implant options readily available. No definite conclusion can be made regarding the best fixation mode. Cemented implants demonstrated a higher revision rate and uncemented implants a higher risk for intraoperative complications. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:180-188. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.190038.