To investigate the value of tranexamic acid (TA) in reducing blood loss and blood transfusion after TKR and other clinical outcomes such as deep venous thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), ischaemic heart diseases and mortality. A systematic review and meta-analysis of published randomised and quasi-randomised trials which used TA to reduce blood loss in knee arthroplasty was conducted. The data was evaluated using the generic evaluation tool designed by the Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group.Objectives
Methods
Up to 2% of total knee arthroplasties (TKA) are still complicated by infection. This leads to dissatisfied patients with poor function, and has far-reaching social and economic consequences. The challenge in these cases is the eradication of infection, the restoration of full function and the prevention of recurrence. We report the outcome of prosthesis sparing early aggressive debridement in the acutely infected TKA. We studied 29 consecutive patients referred with acutely infected TKA (18 primaries, 11 revisions) which occurred within 6 weeks of the index operation or of haematogenous spread. Microbiology confirmed bacterial colonisation in all cases with 20 early post-operative infections and 9 cases of acute haematogenous spread. All patients underwent aggressive open debridement, a thorough synovectomy and a change of insert. Antibiotics were continued until inflammatory markers and the plasma albumin concentration returned to within normal limits.Introduction
Methods
