Prospective comparative study of two different autotransfusion methods versus control group in total knee replacement.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of two different autotransfusion methods in total knee replacement (TKR) performed without tourniquet, in comparison to allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT) only.


METHODS
In a comparative study, 248 patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomized in three groups: in control Group 85 the patients underwent only ABT post-operatively, in Group 1 (n:92) an intraoperative and postoperative autotransfusion were utilized, and in Group 2 (n:71) only a postoperative autotransfusion was applied. Post-operative ABT was utilized according to predetermined criteria.


RESULTS
Comparing Group 0 to Group 1 and 2 the difference in need for ABT post-operatively was statistically highly significant (p < 0.001) even when the results were analyzed classifying the patients according to the preoperative Hb levels. The difference between Group 1 and 2 was not significant.


CONCLUSIONS
According to the results of this study, auto-transfusion reduces the need for ABT in TKR performed without tourniquet.
Blatsoukas
Konstantinos S
KS
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Dragana, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
Drosos
Georgios I
GI
Kazakos
Konstantinos
K
Papaioakim
Miltiadis
M
Gioka
Theodora
T
Chloropoulou
Pelagia
P
Verettas
Dionisios-Alexandros
DA
D000368:Aged; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000601:surgery; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies