1.
Spine Surgery and Preoperative Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, and Hemoglobin A1c: A Systematic Review
Suresh KV, Wang K, Sethi I, Zhang B, Margalit A, Puvanesarajah V, Jain A
Global spine journal. 2021;:2192568220979821
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN Systematic review. OBJECTIVES Synthesize previous studies evaluating clinical utility of preoperative Hb/Hct and HbA1c in patients undergoing common spinal procedures: anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), posterior cervical fusion (PCF), posterior lumbar fusion (PLF), and lumbar decompression (LD). METHODS We queried PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science for literature on preoperative Hb/Hct and HbA1c and post-operative outcomes in adult patients undergoing ACDF, PCF, PLF, or LD surgeries. RESULTS Total of 4,307 publications were assessed. Twenty-one articles met inclusion criteria. PCF AND ACDF Decreased preoperative Hb/Hct were significant predictors of increased postoperative morbidity, including return to operating room, pulmonary complications, transfusions, and increased length of stay (LOS). For increased HbA1c, there was significant increase in risk of postoperative infection and cost of hospital stay. PLF: Decreased Hb/Hct was reported to be associated with increased risk of postoperative cardiac events, blood transfusion, and increased LOS. Elevated HbA1c was associated with increased risk of infection as well as higher visual analogue scores (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores. LD: LOS and total episode of care cost were increased in patients with preoperative HbA1c elevation. CONCLUSION In adult patients undergoing spine surgery, preoperative Hb/Hct are clinically useful predictors for postoperative complications, transfusion rates, and LOS, and HbA1c is predictive for postoperative infection and functional outcomes. Using Hct values <35-38% and HbA1c >6.5%-6.9% for identifying patients at higher risk of postoperative complications is most supported by the literature. We recommend obtaining these labs as part of routine pre-operative risk stratification. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III.
2.
Effect of topical tranexamic acid on post-traumatic elbow stiffness in patients treated with open arthrolysis: a prospective comparative study
Zhang B, Zhang W, Xu J, Ding J
Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery. 2020;29(7):1375-1379
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elbow joint open arthrolysis is an effective method to release contracted tissue and débride heterotopic ossification in cases of post-traumatic elbow stiffness. Recurrence remains one of the most common concerns for surgeons. Soft tissue contracture may result from intra- and/or extra-articular bleeding, edema, effusion, and granulation. The increasing incidence of intraoperative and postoperative bleeding has caused uncertainty about surgical outcomes. Tranexamic acid (TXA) is effective for reducing surgery-related bleeding and effusions in total hip or knee arthroplasty. PURPOSE To investigate whether topical TXA can decrease blood loss and effusions in patients treated with elbow joint open arthrolysis and whether it affects final function. PATIENTS AND METHOD A prospective comparative study was conducted. Sixty-one patients with joint stiffness were enrolled and randomly divided into 2 groups: one consisting of 31 patients treated with topical TXA intraoperatively after open arthrolysis (experimental group) and the other consisting of 30 patients who received saline administration (control group). The operation time, tourniquet time, and intraoperative blood loss were recorded. Drainage volume, elbow rotation, elbow motion arc, Mayo Elbow Performance Score, and operation-related complications were followed up and recorded, whereas hematoma volume remaining in the joint space after drainage tube removal was assessed on ultrasonography. RESULTS Tourniquet time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative drainage were significantly lower in the TXA group than in the control group. However, no significant intergroup differences were found in the incidence of related complications and final function evaluated at the final follow-up. CONCLUSION Topical TXA improves surgical quality by controlling intraoperative bleeding, decreases the amount of blood loss soon after surgery, and could become a routine procedure in elbow joint open arthrolysis.
3.
[Case-control study on effect of early intermittently closing drainage tube for blood loss after total knee arthroplasty]
Yuan Y, Zhang HJ, Zhang B, Yang C, Luo H, Chen Y
Zhongguo gu shang = China journal of orthopaedics and traumatology. 2019;32(1):60-63
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore effect of early intermittently closing drainage tube on blood loss control after total knee arthroplasty. METHODS Totally 60 total knee replacement patients were randomly divided into experimental group and control group according to the different drainage ways of postoperative from January 2014 to January 2015. There were 30 patients in experimental group, including 12 males and 18 females, aged from 58 to 76 years old with an average of (67.0+/-6.7) years old, preoperative Hb was(128.82+/-8.29) g/L; drainage tubes were intermittently opened for 10 minutes every 2 hours, and kept opened until 6 h after operation. There were 30 patients in control group, including 13 males and 17 females; aged from 60 to 79 years old with an average of(69.0+/-7.2) years old; Preoperative Hb was(126.55+/-8.49) g/L; tubes were kept open with negative pressure before its removing. Blood loss in operation, postoperative drainage, total blood loss, hidden blood loss, allogenic blood transfusion and local wounds during hospitalization were observed and compared. RESULTS Postoperative drainage and total blood loss in experimental group was(184+/-56) ml, (1 014+/-258) ml; and significantly lower than that of control group(476+/-98)ml, (1 390+/-383) ml(P<0.05); there were no statistical differences in interoperation blood loss and hidden blood loss(P>0.05). The incisions between two groups were healed at stage I without infection. The size of limb swelling and the number of the cases with ecchymosis in experimental group was (3.8+/-0.9) cm and 10 respectively; control group was (3.4+/-0.7) cm and 8, while there were no significant differences between two groups(P>0.05). Five patients in experimental group were performed blood transfusion, 13 patients in control group were performed blood transfusion, and with differences between two groups(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Intermittently closing of drainage tube after 6 h of TKA could reduce the amount of drainage, total blood loss and blood transfusion rate, and not aggravate limb swelling and subcutaneous ecchymosed. It is proved to be an effective measure to reduce bleeding after TKA.
4.
Tranexamic acid reduces hidden blood loss in the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures with PFNA: a single-center randomized controlled trial
Lei J, Zhang B, Cong Y, Zhuang Y, Wei X, Fu Y, Wei W, Wang P, Wen S, Huang H, et al
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research. 2017;12((1)):124.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hidden blood loss is a major concern for patients undergoing hip surgery for intertrochanteric fracture. The objective of this study was to investigate whether tranexamic acid (TXA) could reduce postoperative hidden blood loss in patients undergoing hip surgery for intertrochanteric fracture. METHODS A total of 77 patients with intertrochanteric fracture were enrolled in this randomized controlled study. Patients received either 200 mL (1 g) of TXA (n = 37) or normal-saline (NS) (n = 40) i.v. before hip surgery using proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA). Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were measured preoperatively and postoperatively at day 1 and 3. Visible and hidden blood loss volumes were calculated at postoperative day 3. RESULTS On postoperative day 3, the transfusion rate was significantly lower in the TXA group compared to the NS group, although mean hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were not significantly different between the two groups. However, the estimated hidden blood loss volume (210.09 +/- 202.14 mL vs. 359.35 +/- 290.12 mL; P < 0.05) and total blood loss volume (279.35 +/- 209.11 mL vs. 417.89 +/- 289.56 mL; P < 0.05) were significantly less in the TXA group compared to the NS group, respectively. CONCLUSION TXA significantly reduced postoperative hidden blood loss in patients with intertrochanteric fracture who underwent PFNA. (Registration number: ChiCTR-INR-16008134).