Aims. Cementless primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) is associated with risks of bleeding and thromboembolism. Anticoagulants are effective as venous thromboprophylaxis, but with an increased risk of bleeding. Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an efficient antifibrinolytic agent, but the mode and timing of its administration remain controversial. This study aimed to determine whether two intravenous (IV) TXA regimens (a three-hour two-dose (short-TXA) and 11-hour four-dose (long-TXA)) were more effective than placebo in reducing perioperative real blood loss (RBL, between baseline and day 3 postoperatively) in patients undergoing THA who receive rivaroxaban as thromboprophylaxis. The secondary aim was to assess the non-inferiority of the reduction of blood loss of the short protocol versus the long protocol. Patients and Methods. A multicentre, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was undertaken involving 229 patients undergoing primary cementless THA using a posterior approach, whose extended rivaroxaban thromboprophylaxis started on the day of surgery. There were 98 male and 131 female patients, with a mean age of 65.5 years (32 to 91). The primary outcome, perioperative RBL, was evaluated at 72 hours postoperatively. The efficacy of short- and long-TXA protocols in the reduction of perioperative RBL was compared with a placebo group. Results. TXA significantly reduced perioperative blood loss compared with placebo (p < 0.001); the mean differences were 525.3 ml (short-TXA vs placebo) and 550.1 ml (long-TXA vs placebo). No venous or arterial thromboembolic complications were reported. The upper boundary of the 95% confidence interval, when comparing short and long protocols, was below the pre-specified margin of non-inferiority (p = 0.027). Conclusion. In patients undergoing primary cementless THA, using a posterior approach, who are treated with rivaroxaban for thromboembolic prophylaxis, short- and long-TXA IV protocols are significantly more effective than placebo in reducing perioperative RBL, without any thromboembolic complications. Non-inferiority of a short- versus a long-TXA protocol in reducing perioperative RBL was supported in a secondary analysis

Introduction. Early surgery for hip fractures is beneficial but is often delayed by anticoagulation. Direct acting anticoagulants (DOAC), Rivaroxaban and Apixiban, are increasingly used in primary and secondary care but there is no specific reversal agent. Current guidance is to delay surgery 48 hours. Anti-factorXa levels < 80 ug/l are considered safe for major surgery and for spinal anaesthesia. We investigated if delay in this cohort of patients can be predicted or reduced. Patients/Materials & Methods. 41 consecutive patients presenting with a hip fracture on therapeutic dose DOAC were identified. Anti- factorXa levels were collected at 24hours and repeated at 48hours if elevated. We investigated if renal function or clotting screen could help predict safe time to surgery. Results. 36/41 had levels taken at 24 hours. Of these 21 (58%) had levels of 80 ug/l of less (<30 – 80). The remaining 15 (42%) had elevated levels at 24hours (85–224). One patient had levels greater than 80 ug/l at 48 hours. Clearance rate did not differ between Rivaroxaban and Apixiban. There was no significant difference in the prothrombin time (PT) between groups. Mean PT was 12.1 (10.6 – 15.1) for patients with levels <80ug/l and 13.4 ug/l (11.9– 15.6) for those patients with levels >80ug/l. Renal function affected drug clearance with a mean eGFR of 61 ml/min/1.73m2 (31–>90) in those with levels <80ug/l compared to 51 ml/min/1.73m2 (29–86) in those with levels >80ug/l. Discussion. Drug clearance of DOACS is un-predictable and standard clotting screens cannot be used for assessment. Approximately 40% will still have high levels at 24 hours. Patients with renal impairment are more likely to possess high levels at 24 hours. Operating based on time from last dose could be associated with a bleeding risk or conversely delay surgery inappropriately. Conclusion. The measurement of Anti- factorXa levels could enable safe early surgery in the majority of patients

Introduction. Many pharmacologic agents have been used for venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis after elective total hip arthroplasty (THA). Rivaroxaban was the first novel oral anticoagulant approved for THA patients, but its actual efficacy and safety in clinical practice, beyond randomized trials, is unknown. Materials and Methods. This is a retrospective study, using the Truven Health MarketScan database, of anticoagulation medication prescriptions after elective THA, in both commercially insured (CI) and Medicare supplement insured (MS) patients, from 2010 to 2015. After exclusions, there were 83,179 CI and 50,534 MS patients available for analysis. There were 12,876 new users of warfarin (W) and 10,892 new users of rivaroxaban (R) in CI patients, and 7,416 new users of W and 4,739 new users of R in MS patients. We asked the following questions: (1) What were the trends and predictive factors for anticoagulant use after elective THA? (2) What was the actual clinical efficacy: frequency of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), and frequency of adverse events within 90 days with the two most commonly used oral agents, rivaroxaban and warfarin, from June 2011 to September 2015? Data was analyzed for each anticoagulant by odds ratios using logistic regression models with stabilized inverse probability treatment weighting. Results. There was a change in use of anticoagulants after R approval. Use of W decreased from approximately 50% each in 2010 in both insurance cohorts to 10% in CI patients and 30% in MS patients in 4th quarter 2015. The use of R increased from 0 to 33% in both cohorts from 2011 to 2015. In the multivariate analysis, in CI patients, females had lower odds of getting R, and patients in Western region had higher odds of getting R; in MS patients, increasing age had reduced odds of getting rivaroxiban, but Western region and surgery in 2015 had higher odds. Patients with capitated insurance plans and renal impairment had lower odds of R initiation, but a history of cardiovascular disease or hypertension had higher odds. In 90 days after THA, patients given R had significantly lower odds ratio of both DVT and PE in both CI patients (DVT: 1.54 with W, 0.54 with R; PE: 2.12 with W, 0.73 with R) and MS patients (DVT: 3.01 W, 1.73 R; PE: 4.09 W, 1.88 R). With logistic regression analysis, users of W had significantly higher odds ratio of both DVT (CI 2.63 and MS 1.78) and PE (CI 2.60 and MS 2.09) than R. There was no significant difference in rates of bleeding between W and R, but W had higher odds ratio than R of prosthetic joint infection (PJI) in both CI (1.574) and MS (1.790) cohorts. Conclusions. There has been an increase in VTE prophylaxis with R, and a decrease in both W and LMWH use after elective THA over four years. Patient factors, insurance type, and comorbidities were associated with this change. In actual clinical efficacy, R had lower odds ratio of both DVT and PE than W, and bleeding risks were similar. The association of W with an increased odds ratio of PJI compared to R requires further study

Introduction. We studied the safety and efficacy of multimodal thromboprophylaxis (MMP) in patients with a history of venous thromboembolism (VTE) undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA). MMP includes discontinuation of procoagulant medications, VTE risk stratification, regional anesthesia, an intravenous bolus of unfractionated heparin before femoral work, rapid mobilization, the use of pneumatic compression devices, and chemoprophylaxis tailored to the patient's risk. Material and methods. From 2004 to 2018, 257 patients (mean age: 67 years; range: 26–95) with a history of VTE underwent 277 primary, elective THAs procedures (128 right, 100 left, 9 single-stage bilateral, 20 staged bilateral) by two orthopaedic surgeons at a single institution. The patients had a history deep vein thrombosis (DVT) 186 (67%), pulmonary embolism (PE) 43 (15.5%), or both 48 (17.5%). Chemoprophylaxis included aspirin (38 patients) and anticoagulation (239 patients; Coumadin: 182, low-molecular-weight heparin: 3, clopidogrel: 1, rivaroxaban: 3, and a combination: 50). Forty eight patients (17.3%) had a vena cava filter at the time of surgery. Patients were followed for 120 days to detect complications, and for a year to detect mortality. Results. Postoperative VTE was diagnosed in seven patients (2.5%): DVT in five, and PE with and without DVT in one patient each. Bleeding complications occurred in 2 patients, one requiring surgical evacuation of a hematoma. Seven patients died during the first year (2.5%). One patient died 5 months postoperatively of a fatal PE during open thrombectomy, and one patient died of a hemorrhagic stroke while receiving Coumadin. PE or bleeding was not suspected in any of the remaining 5 fatalities. Conclusions. The result of this study spanning over 13 years, suggests that MMP is safe and effective. Postoperative anticoagulation should be prudent as very few patients developed postoperative VTE (2.5%) or died of suspected or confirmed PE. Mortality during the first year was mostly unrelated to VTE or bleeding. For any tables or figures, please contact the authors directly

Aims

There is evidence that morbidly obese patients have more intra- and postoperative complications and poorer outcomes when undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) with the direct anterior approach (DAA). The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of DAA for THA, and compare the complications and outcomes of morbidly obese patients with nonobese patients.

Aims

After failed acetabular fractures, total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a challenging procedure and considered the gold standard treatment. The complexity of the procedure depends on the fracture pattern and the initial fracture management. This study’s primary aim was to evaluate patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for patients who underwent delayed uncemented acetabular THA after acetabular fractures. The secondary aims were to assess the radiological outcome and the incidence of the associated complications in those patients.

Aims

A typical pattern of blood loss associated with total hip arthroplasty (THA) is 200 ml intraoperatively and 1.3 l in the first 48 postoperative hours. Tranexamic acid (TXA) is most commonly given as a single preoperative dose only and is often withheld from patients with a history of thromboembolic disease as they are perceived to be “high-risk” with respect to postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE). The TRanexamic ACid for 24 hours trial (TRAC-24) aimed to identify if an additional 24-hour postoperative TXA regime could further reduce blood loss beyond a once-only dose at the time of surgery, without excluding these high-risk patients.

Aims

The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy and safety of carbazochrome sodium sulfonate (CSS) combined with tranexamic acid (TXA) on blood loss and inflammatory responses after primary total hip arthroplasty (THA), and to investigate the influence of different administration methods of CSS on perioperative blood loss during THA.

Aims

We studied the safety and efficacy of multimodal thromboprophylaxis in patients with a history of venous thromboembolism (VTE) who undergo total hip arthroplasty (THA) within the first 120 postoperative days, and the mortality during the first year. Multimodal prophylaxis includes discontinuation of procoagulant medications, VTE risk stratification, regional anaesthesia, an intravenous bolus of unfractionated heparin prior to femoral preparation, rapid mobilization, the use of pneumatic compression devices, and chemoprophylaxis tailored to the patient’s risk of VTE.

Aims

We present the development of a day-case total hip arthroplasty (THA) pathway in a UK National Health Service institution in conjunction with an extensive evidence-based summary of the interventions used to achieve successful day-case THA to which the protocol is founded upon.

Aims

Intravenous dexamethasone has been shown to reduce immediate postoperative pain after total hip arthroplasty (THA), though the effects are short-lived. We aimed to assess whether two equivalent perioperative split doses were more effective than a single preoperative dose.

Aims

A variety of surgical approaches are used for total hip arthroplasty (THA), all with reported advantages and disadvantages. A number of common complications can occur following THA regardless of the approach used. The purpose of this study was to compare five commonly used surgical approaches with respect to the incidence of surgery-related complications.

Aims

We studied the impact of direct anterior (DA) versus non-anterior (NA) surgical approaches on prosthetic joint infection (PJI), and examined the impact of new perioperative protocols on PJI rates following all surgical approaches at a single institution.

Aims

The aim of this study was to compare early functional and health related quality of life outcomes (HRQoL) in patients who have undergone total hip arthroplasty (THA) using a bone conserving short stem femoral component and those in whom a conventional length uncemented component was used. Outcome was assessed using a validated performance based outcome instrument as well as patient reported outcome measures (PROMs).

Aims

To analyse the effectiveness of debridement and implant retention (DAIR) in patients with hip periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) and the relationship to patient characteristics. The outcome was evaluated in hips with confirmed PJI and a follow-up of not less than two years.