title: Nondrainage decreases blood transfusion need and infection rate in bilateral total knee arthroplasty.
abstract: This retrospective study enrolled 526 patients undergoing bilateral total knee arthroplasties at our institution. In nondrainage group (Group 1) of 255 patients (510 knees), a disposable elastic sterile exsanguination tourniquet (HemaClear), wound closure in layers and Jones Bandage, without pre-tourniquet removal hemostasis or Hemovac drain were used. In drainage group (Group 2) of 227 patients (454 knees), pneumatic tourniquet, post-deflation hemostasis, a Hemovac drain and Jones bandage were used. The maximal drop in hemoglobin was significantly greater in Group 2 than Group 1 (P < 0.001). Also infection rate was significantly lower in Group 1 (P = 0.017). The use of sterile tourniquet removed after wound closure without Hemovac drain decreases blood transfusion need, infection rate, tourniquet related pain and postoperative complications.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Kecioren Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ismail
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Demirkale
authors.affiliation: Departments of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Ataturk Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Osman
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Tecimel
authors.affiliation: Departments of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Kecioren Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sesen
authors.affiliation: Departments of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Ataturk Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Kasim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kilicarslan
authors.affiliation: Departments of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Kecioren Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Altay
authors.affiliation: Departments of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Yildirim Beyazit University, School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Metin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dogan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000379:methods*; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013396:Suction / Q000009:adverse effects*
keywords: Hemovac drain; blood loss; infection rate