Advertisement for orthosearch.org.uk
Orthopaedic Proceedings Logo

Receive monthly Table of Contents alerts from Orthopaedic Proceedings

Comprehensive article alerts can be set up and managed through your account settings

View my account settings

Visit Orthopaedic Proceedings at:

Loading...

Loading...

Full Access

DELAYED OPENING OF ASPIRATION DRAINAGE IN PROSTHETIC KNEE SURGERY



Abstract

Introduction and Objectives: The use of aspiration drainage in knee replacement is associated with an increase in postoperative bleeding. We assessed the affectivity of a 4 hour delayed opening of the drainages.

Materials and Methods: Retrospective comparative study. We studied 122 cases divided into 2 groups that underwent total knee replacement with different guidelines for drainage opening during the postoperative period. In one group the drainage was opened immediately, in the other after a 4 hour delay. We assessed the amount of fluid drained and also possible modifying factors. We also assessed associated complications.

Results: We found significant differences in the amount of fluid drained between the drainages opened immediately and at 4 hours. With the use of drainage opened at 4 hours there is a non-significant decreasing trend in the need for transfusions; there is no significant increase in local complications at the wound site or at the site of the arthroplasty.

Discussion and Conclusions: Keeping drainages closed during the first 4 hours of the postoperative period is a cost-effective way of decreasing bleeding in TKR surgery.

The abstracts were prepared by E. Carlos Rodríguez-Merchán, Editor-in-Chief of the Spanish Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology (Revista Española de Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología). Correspondence should be addressed to him at: Sociedad Española de Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología, calle Fernández de los Ríos 108, 28015-Madrid, Spain