Timing of re-transfusion drain removal following total knee replacement.
BACKGROUND
The use of postoperative drains following total knee replacement (TKR) has recently been modified by the use of re-transfusion drains. The aim of our study was to investigate the optimal time for removal of re-transfusion drains following TKR.


METHODS
The medical records of 66 patients who had a TKR performed between October 2003 and October 2004 were reviewed; blood drained before 6 h and the total volume of blood drained was recorded.


RESULTS
A total of 56 patients had complete records of postoperative drainage. The mean volume of blood collected in the drain in the first 6 h was 442 ml. The mean total volume of blood in the drain was 595 ml. Therefore, of the blood drained, 78% was available for transfusion.


CONCLUSIONS
Re-transfusion drains should be removed after 6 h, when no further re-transfusion is permissible.
Department of Orthopaedics & Trauma Surgery, Addenbrooke's NHS Trust, Cambridge, UK.
M F
MF
Leeman
M L
ML
Costa
E
E
Costello
D
D
Edwards
D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000379:methods*; D004322:Drainage / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D014618:Vacuum