Local infiltration of analgesia and tranexamic acid is safe and efficacious in reducing blood loss and comparable to intra-articular tranexamic acid in total knee replacements

Introduction: The use of peri-articular (PA) tranexamic acid (TXA) and its efficacy in comparison with intra-articular (IA) tranexamic acid has not been well explored in literature. This retrospective cohort study aims to compare the effects of IA and PA TXA with analgesic components in reducing blood loss and improving immediate post-operative pain relief and functional outcomes in unilateral primary total knee replacement (TKA) patients. Methods: 63 patients who underwent a unilateral primary total knee replacement procedure were divided into 2 groups: 42 patients in the IA TXA delivery group, 21 patients in the PA TXA group. 1g of TXA was utilized for all patients. All patients had pericapsular infiltration consisting of 0.5ml of Adrenaline, 0.4ml of Morphine, 1g of Vancomycin, 1ml of Ketorolac and 15ml of Ropivacaine. Outcomes for blood loss, and surrogate markers for immediate functional recovery were measured. Results: 54.0% of the patients were female, 46.0% male. The mean drop in post-operative Hb levels in the PA and IA group was 2.0g/dL and 1.6 g/dL respectively, and statistically insignificant (p=0.10). The mean HCT drop in the PA and IA group was 6.1% and 5.3% respectively and statistically insignificant (p=0.58). The POD 1 and discharge day flexion angles, POD 1 and POD 2 VAS scores, gait distance on discharge, and length of hospitalization stay were largely similar in both groups. Conclusion: Our study shows that both IA and PA TXA with analgesic components are equally efficient in reducing blood loss and improving immediate postoperative pain relief and functional outcomes.

Knee

This chapter contains practice questions based on a broad range of orthopaedic topics that may be encountered within the ‘Adult Pathology’ station of the FRCS (Trauma and Orthopaedics) viva examination. The knee topics covered include: osteoarthritis, primary total knee replacement (TKR), painful TKR, revision TKR, and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture among other conditions.

Immediate haemoglobin testing in association with a dedicated anaemia clinic: Effectiveness for primary total knee replacement patients

Introduction Preoperative anaemia is associated with higher transfusion rates, increased hospital stays and poorer outcomes. Addressing preoperative anaemia is a crucial pillar of Patient Blood Management. Conventionally, patients are listed for surgery and then screened for anaemia in the pre-assessment clinic, followed by referral to their general practitioner. This process involves substantial delays, and poorly treated anaemia often results in perioperative transfusions. We assessed our pathway of immediate haemoglobin testing at the time of listing in conjunction with a dedicated preoperative anaemia clinic for detecting and treating anaemia in primary total knee replacement patients. Materials and methods We compared transfusion rates between anaemic patients undergoing a primary total knee replacement who were treated in this pathway with those who were not. We reviewed the preoperative haemoglobin levels, transfusion rates and treatment for all primary total knee arthroplasty patients over three years amounting to 2296. Results Transfusion rates were significantly lower in the group treated in this pathway compared to those who were not. The treated group also had significantly higher preoperative haemoglobin levels. Discussion and conclusion: Immediate haemoglobin testing in association with a dedicated preoperative anaemia clinic is effective at detecting and treating anaemia in primary total knee replacement patients and reduces transfusion requirements.