title: Randomized blinded study comparing a bipolar sealer and standard electrocautery in reducing transfusion requirements in anterior supine intermuscular total hip arthroplasty.
abstract: Managing blood loss in total hip arthroplasty (THA) minimizes complications and decreases cost. Tissue-sparing anterior supine intermuscular THA (ASI-THA) may offer a quicker recovery but increases blood loss and transfusion requirements. This double-blinded prospective study compared a bipolar sealer (Aquamantys 6.0 bipolar sealer) to standard monopolar electrocautery in reducing blood loss in ASI-THA. Differences in calculated actual blood loss (ABL), hemoglobin, and transfusion requirements were examined. One hundred hips were randomized to each group. Transfusion rates were similar, 6% and 4%, respectively (p>0.05). ABL and change in hemoglobin were identical (1.35 and 3.3g). No significant differences in transfusion, blood loss, or hemoglobin were seen with a bipolar sealer device. Routine use of this bipolar sealer device has been discontinued in ASI-THA.
authors.affiliation: Joint Implant Surgeons, Inc., New Albany, OH, USA; Mount Carmel Health System, New Albany, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: Meredith
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.forename: Adolph V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Lombardi
authors.forename: Tawnya L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Tucker
authors.forename: Keith R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Berend
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000379:methods*; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies
keywords: anterior supine interval; bipolar sealer; blood loss; primary hip arthroplasty; transfusion rates