Introduction: Blood loss is a major concern following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) frequently resulting in blood transfusions postoperatively. Various strategies exist to reduce blood loss and allogenic transfusion requirements. This study investigates the effect of immediate postoperative flexion on blood loss and transfusion requirements following TKA.

Methods: 180 consented patients undergoing primary TKA by a single surgeon were enrolled into a prospective randomised controlled study. 90 patients were randomised to have the operated knee nursed in extension postoperatively, and 90 patients to have the knee nursed in flexion for six hours postoperatively. Both groups followed a strict transfusion protocol. Data collected included calculated pre- and postoperative haemoglobin and haematocrit which was used to calculate total blood loss. Units transfused and postoperative complication rates were also recorded.

Results: There was no significant difference in demographics or factors predisposing to bleeding between the groups. The mean total blood loss was 1841mls for those in the extension group compared with 1587mls in the flexion group (p=0.02). The mean number of units transfused in the extension group was 0.78 units/patient compared with 0.36 units/patient in the flexion group (p=0.004). There was no significant difference in pain scores between the groups (p= 0.62).

Conclusion: This study shows that the use of immediate postoperative flexion significantly reduces calculated total blood loss and transfusion rates following TKA.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to observe the change in dislocation rate by introducing a capsular enhanced short external rotator repair during primary total hip arthroplasty.

Dislocation after primary total hip arthroplasty is a relatively common complication. The incidence is usually between 1% and 4%, although 0% to 10% has been reported in the literature. The posterior approach is by far the most popular by surgeons, but it reportedly has an increase risk of post-operative dislocation. The posterior approach causes disruption of the posterior capsule and the short external rotators. Studies have shown that repair of the posterior capsule and the short external rotators greatly reduce the dislocation rate.

Method: Review of the dislocation rate of THR’s by a single surgeon before and after the introduction of a capsular enhanced short external rotator repair (August 2002). It was a sequential cohort of 2213 Total Hip Replacements (THR), inserted over a period from January 1999 to June 2004. All cases were done by the senior author through a posterior approach using a Belfast custom stem, a 28mm head, and a cementless socket. We collected data on all dislocations which occurred on the hips inserted during this time period. We were therefore able to compare dislocation rates for THR’s done before and after the introduction of the soft tissue repair. The posterior capsule and short external rotators were reattached to the greater trochanter through drill holes using a number 5 Ethibond.

Results: This dislocation rate before the introduction of the new posterior soft tissue repair was 3.9% (58 out of 1501 THR’s). After the introduction of the repair the dislocation rate was 0.9% (6 out of 712 THR’s). 81% (47 of58) of dislocations before the change of practice were classed as early dislocations (with 3 months of surgery). 83% (5 of 6) were clearly dislocators after the new soft tissue repair. Considering only the early dislocations, the dislocation rate reduced from 3.1 to 0.7%.

Conclusion: Considering our reduction from 3.9% to0.9%, and results of previous studies, it is clear that the capsular enhanced and short external rotator repair is associated closely with a decreased dislocation rate. We feel other factors such as restoration of joint centre ensuring correct orientation of components are important in conjunction with the posterior soft tissue repair to keep dislocations to a minimum.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to observe the change in transfusion rate by decreasing the transfusion trigger for patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty.

There are no transfusion guidelines defined for Total knee arthroplasty (TKA), and each orthopaedic unit usually has its own protocol when it comes to transfusion. With the present climate of concern about non-autologous blood transfusions and transmission of infection, orthopaedic units are trying to keep their transfusion rates to a minimum and only transfuse when absolutely necessary.

Method: The transfusion trigger prior to protocol change was a haematocrit (Hct) < 0.31, which was then changed to a lesser trigger of Hct < 0.25. We collected data on 331 patients; 181 patients prior to the change and 150 patients after the change. Each patient had undergone a primary TKA by a single surgeon using the same operative technique.

Results: In the group prior to change in transfusion trigger (Hct < 0.31), 76% of patients were transfused 88% of females and 54% of males. In this pre-trigger change group, 100% of patients with a pre-operative Hb of 12g/dl or less were transfused.

Of the 150 patients reviewed after the change in transfusion trigger (Hct < 0.25), only 29% were transfused – 35% of females and 18% of males. 50% of patients with a pre-operative Hb of 12 g/dl or less were transfused.

Conclusion: A change in the transfusion trigger greatly reduced the transfusion rate (reduction of 45%) with no adverse patient events. Obviously, this has both clinical and financial benefits. Pre-operative Hb is the best indicator as to whether a patient will require a transfusion following TKA. In order to decrease transfusion rates further, patients with a pre-operative Hb < 12 g/dl may benefit from pre-operative boosting of their Hb.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to assess whether a correlation existed between blood loss and soft tissue release carried out during total knee replacement in the valgus knee.

Method: We identified 208 patients with a valgus deformity undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty . These were performed over a 33 month period by a single surgeon. An LCS mobile bearing prosthesis was used in all patients. The valgus deformity range was from 1–38 degrees with a mean of 11.75 degrees. Haemoglobin (Hb) drop was calculated as a measure of blood loss. This was calculated using:

Hb drop = Pre-op Hb – (Day 3 Hb + No. of units of blood received)

(We assumed that one unit of blood equates to one gram increase in circulating haemoglobin).

Results: Osteoarthritis was the major diagnosis (90.3%) followed by rheumatoid disease (5.8%). Forty-four patients (21%) required no soft tissue release, this group having an average deformity of 6 degrees and an average Hb drop of 4.35g/dl. One hundred and forty-six (69%) patients required a posterolateral capsular release, average deformity of 14 degrees with an average Hb drop of 4.63g/dl. Seventeen (8%) patients had a posterolateral and an additional Iliotibial band release, average magnitude of deformity 18 degrees and average Hb drop of 4.97g/dl. One patient had a lateral collateral ligament release, magnitude of deformity 30 degrees and haemoglobin drop of 6.4g/dl.

Conclusion: Soft tissue release in total knee arthroplasties in the valgus knee increases the amount of postoperative bleeding and average length of stay of the patient.

Introduction: Infants referred under the Hip Screening Programme undergo both a clinical and ultrasonic assessment of hip stability. The majority are reviewed for repeat clinical assessment and X-ray of the hips before a diagnosis of DDH will be excluded. If we could safely rely on the ultrasound findings, then the number of children routinely reviewed with a hip radiograph could be reduced. As a result, many children would avoid the unnecessary and potentially harmful exposure to radiation. In addition, the burden on both the Orthopaedic Outpatients Department and the Radiology Department could be eased.

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the sensitivity of the ultrasound screening programme for DDH over a four year period.

Study Design: A retrospective review of the 501 infants referred for hip screening between January 1997 and December 2000.

Results: 28 patients were treated for DDH during the period of January 1997 to December 2000. Thirteen patients (46.4%) of those treated for DDH were referred via the Hip Screening Programme after their initial baby check by the paediatricians showed that they had a risk factor. The risk factors include Family History, Breech Deliver, and clinical instability. The remaining fifteen patients (53.6%) were referred via GP’s, Health Visitors and Paediatricians, following abnormal clinical findings ranging from ‘clicky hip’, abnormal skin creases, and decreased hip abduction at follow up baby checks. The average age of the infant in this group was 5.5 months. These 15 were diagnosed with X-ray only. All patients (501 patients) referred via the Hip screening programme underwent an ultrasound scan of both hips initially, and a pelvic X-ray 4–6 months after this. We identified 5 cases where the ultrasound had originally been interpreted as normal, yet the infant developed DDH as diagnosed by a later X–ray. Five infants (38.5%) of the thirteen diagnosed with DDH via the screening programme is unacceptable. These five infants could easily have been missed until they were a lot older, and subsequently their prognoses would have been worse.

Three (20%) of the fifteen patients diagnosed with DDH which were not referred via the Hip Screening Programme had an identifiable risk factor at birth, yet were not sent for orthopaedic review and ultrasound examination via the Screening Programme.

Conclusion: Normal ultrasound scan does not exclude a subsequent diagnosis of Developmental Dysplasia of the hip. X-ray is still considered the gold standard in assessing a child’s hips. Both the performance and interpretation of the hip ultrasound is skill with a steep learning curve and, for the meantime, will have to go hand in hand with pelvic X-rays in diagnosing DDH.