Abstract
Background: To our knowledge, a prospective randomised study comparing blood loss between cemented and uncemented total knee replacement has not been performed.
Method: From 1994 to 2004, 205 consecutive patients (78 men and 128 women) undergoing total knee replacement was randomised to one of the two groups, cemented Kinnimax or uncemented LCS knees. 96.1 % of the procedures were performed for osteoarthritis whilst 3.9 % for RA. All patients had haemoglobin and heamatocrit recorded preoperatively and postoperatively. Each patients height, weight and body mass index were recorded preoperatively. The red blood cell (RBC) volume loss was measured using an indirect method which involved calculations using height, weight and pre op and post op haematocrit. The mean post operative RBC volume in cemented knees was 1.32lts whilst that of uncemented knees was 1.38lts; p value – 0.202.
Results: The mean red cell volume loss in cemented knees was 0.39lts and that of uncemented knees was 0.45lts, p value 0.015 which was statistically significant. There was no statistically significant difference in relation to preoperative deformity, approach or ASA grade. There was statistically significant increase in tourniquet time in cemented knees.
Conclusion: Our study concludes that the uncemented knees loose more blood compared to cemented knees. There have been smaller studies looking at this, but we believe this to be the largest and most comprehensive to date.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Roger Lemaire. Correspondence should be addressed to EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
