Abstract
Background: To our knowledge, a prospective randomised study comparing blood loss in 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 were randomised to one of the two groups, one using a cemented Kinnimax prosthesis and the other an uncemented LCS knee prosthesis. In 96.1% of the patients the procedures were performed for osteoarthritis whilst 3.9 % for RA. All patients had their haemoglobin and heamatocrit recorded preoperatively and postoperatively. The patient’s height, weight and body mass index were recorded preoperatively. The red blood cell (RBC) volume loss were measured by an indirect method which involved calculations using height, weight and pre op and post op heamatocrit.
Results: The mean red cell volume loss in uncemented knees (0.46lts) was significantly greater than the loss in cemented knees (0.39lts) p = 0.015. There was no statistically significant difference in relation to preoperative deformity, approach or ASA grade.
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.
Honorary Secretary – Mr Roger Smith. Correspondence should be addressed to BASK at the Royal College of Surgeons, 35 - 43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PN
