We have carried out a randomised, controlled trial on 70 patients having unilateral total knee replacement in which transfusion was either with homologous bank blood or by reinfusion of unwashed blood salvaged after operation. No complications or adverse effects were observed from reinfusion. The need for bank blood was reduced by 86% in the reinfusion group but, more importantly, the number of infective episodes was significantly less when the use of bank blood was avoided. The mean length of stay in hospital was also reduced by more than two days

We prospectively randomised 100 patients undergoing cemented total knee replacement to receive either a single deep closed-suction drain or no drain. The total blood loss was significantly greater in those with a drain (568 ml versus 119 ml, p < 0.01; 95% CI 360 to 520) although those without lost more blood into the dressings (55 ml versus 119 ml, p < 0.01; 95% CI −70 to 10). There was no statistical difference in the postoperative swelling or pain score, or in the incidence of pyrexia, ecchymosis, time at which flexion was regained or the need for manipulation, or in the incidence of infection at a minimum of five years after surgery in the two groups. We have been unable to provide evidence to support the use of a closed-suction drain in cemented knee arthroplasty. It merely interferes with mobilisation and complicates nursing. Reinfusion drains may, however, prove to be beneficial

We undertook a prospective, randomised study in order to evaluate the efficacy of clamping the drains after intra-articular injection of saline with 1:500 000 adrenaline compared with post-operative blood salvage in reducing blood loss in 212 total knee arthroplasties. The mean post-operative drained blood volume after drain clamping was 352.1 ml compared to 662.3 ml after blood salvage (p < 0.0001). Allogenic blood transfusion was needed in one patient in the drain group and for three in the blood salvage group. Drain clamping with intra-articular injection of saline with adrenaline is more effective than post-operative autologous blood transfusion in reducing blood loss during total knee arthroplasty.

In this paper, we consider wound healing after total knee arthroplasty.

We undertook a prospective randomised controlled trial to investigate the efficacy of autologous retransfusion drains in reducing the need for allogenic blood requirement after unilateral total knee replacement. We also monitored the incidence of post-operative complications. There were 86 patients in the control group, receiving standard care with a vacuum drain, and 92 who received an autologous drain and were retransfused postoperatively. Following serial haemoglobin measurements at 24, 48 and 72 hours, we found no difference in the need for allogenic blood between the two groups (control group 15.1%, retransfusion group 13% (p = 0.439)). The incidence of post-operative complications, such as wound infection, deep-vein thrombosis and chest infection, was also comparable between the groups. There were no adverse reactions associated with the retransfusion of autologous blood.

Based on this study, the cost-effectiveness and continued use of autologous drains in total knee replacement should be questioned.