Minimal-incision total knee arthroplasty.
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Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee↗
Biomedical subjects
Fred D Cushner
Publications and source records attributed to Fred D Cushner.
Blood loss management in high-risk patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty: a comparison of two techniques.
Although it is well known that patients with preoperative hemoglobin levels <13.0 g/dL are at a higher risk for requiring postoperative transfusions, the ideal blood management strategy for this group of patients remains unclear. This study compared preoperative autologous donation with preoperative administration of epoetin alfa as a method to maximize perioperative hemoglobin levels and minimize blood transfusions in these high-risk patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Results show that both preoperative autologous donation and epoetin alfa were successful in decreasing the need for allogeneic blood transfusions following TKA in high-risk patients. Epoetin alfa was more effective in maximizing perioperative hemoglobin levels.
Adult↗
Evaluation of the anterior cruciate ligament integrity and degenerative arthritic patterns in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty.
We prospectively reviewed 107 consecutive primary total knee arthroplasties performed over a 1-year period. Intraoperatively, the integrity of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the characteristics of the intercondylar notch, and the patterns of cartilage wear were evaluated. The ACL was found to be deficient in 41 knees (39%) at the time of surgery. The ACL-deficient knee had significantly narrower intercondylar notch widths compared with knees with an intact ACL (average, 9.75 vs 16 mm, P < .01). Furthermore, patients with ACL deficiency were found to have a higher percentage of Outerbridge grade IV changes at the lateral femoral condyle, lateral tibial plateau, and patellar surfaces when compared to the ACL-intact group. An intact ACL appeared to be protective against severe patellar degeneration. In conclusion, intercondylar notch narrowing from the arthritic process can lead to attrition and rupture of the ACL. An ACL deficiency appears to be associated increased wear of the lateral femorotibial and patellofemoral joints.
Adult↗
Blood loss and transfusion rates in bilateral total knee arthroplasty.
From 1994 to 1998, we performed 170 bilateral total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) with cemented, posterior cruciate-substituting prostheses. Blood management included preoperative autologous donation, symptom-based transfusion, and autoreinfusion devices. Perioperative allogeneic transfusion rates for patients who donated 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 units of blood were 40.00%, 0.00%, 3.70%, 0.00%, and 3.23%, respectively. Preoperative autologous donation >2 units also resulted in lower preoperative hemoglobin levels. For bilateral TKA, a protocol of 2 preoperative autologous donation units and reinfusion of postoperative drainage reduces anemia during the preoperative and postoperative periods.
Adult↗
Current trends in blood conservation in total knee arthroplasty.
There is a lack of consensus with regard to ways to minimize blood transfusions after total knee arthroplasty. We surveyed 434 members of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, each of whom averaged 18 years in practice and performed an average of between 100 and 150 knee replacements a year, about their preferences and practices regarding blood conservation during total knee arthroplasty. Of those surveyed, only 24% reported that there was a blood conservation program in place at their institutions. Fifty-nine percent of those surveyed routinely asked their patients to donate blood before unilateral and bilateral knee replacements. The amount of blood collected averaged 1.32 units (range, 1-4 units) and 2.04 units (range, 1-4 units) before unilateral and bilateral knee arthroplasty, respectively. Nearly half (47.5%) reported they rarely ever prescribed epoetin alfa because of a combination of cost, time, and labor issues. Furthermore, the majority (84%) has not had any experience with the use of antifibrinolytics. Overall, the mean transfusion rate after unilateral knee replacement was estimated to be less than 5% (range, 0%-20%) whereas the rate after bilateral knee replacement was estimated to be between 10% and 20% (range, 5%-20%).
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee↗
The effect of total knee arthroplasty on body weight.
This prospective study quantified the weight change in 20 consecutive patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. Resected bone, soft tissues, and bone reamings were collected during surgery and weighed using a digital scale at the end of the procedure. Results were compared to the cumulative weights of the prosthesis, bone cement, patellar component, and polyethylene liner. Average weight of the resected bone and soft tissues was 167.71 g for men and 130.13 g for women. Mean weight of the implanted prosthesis and cement used was 509.92 g for men and 422.56 g for women. Men tended to receive a larger-sized prosthesis than women. Overall, the average weight gain as a result of knee arthroplasty was 345.54 g for men and 292.44 g for women. This translates to an insignificant increase in body weight.
Aged↗
Orthopaedic-induced anemia: the fallacy of autologous donation programs.
Total knee arthroplasty is associated with significant blood loss. Despite the initiation of various blood conservation modalities, allogeneic transfusion has yet to be eliminated. One hundred forty-eight patients who had unilateral primary total knee arthroplasties during a 3-year period were evaluated retrospectively for blood loss and transfusion rates. The patients were prescribed one unit of preoperative autologous donation that was to be transfused automatically on postoperative Day 1. Allogeneic transfusion was based on symptoms, and no numerical transfusion triggers were used. The preoperative autologous donation program resulted in increased preoperative anemia. Whereas only 26.2% of patients were in the high transfusion-risk group (hemoglobin >10 g/dL and < or = 13 g/dL) before surgery, 55.7% of patients were in this high-risk category after preoperative autologous donation. The patients did not recover from the autologous donations that occurred 4 weeks before surgery. A mean hemoglobin level of 14.0 g/dL was seen before donation, whereas the mean preoperative hemoglobin level decreased to 12.6 g/dL. We think that a preoperative autologous donation program leads to an increased risk of anemia before surgery.
Aged↗
Transfusion avoidance in orthopedic surgery.
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Aprotinin↗
Optimizing patellofemoral tracking during total knee arthroplasty.
Fifty-seven patients who underwent 65 primary TKAs between 1993-1994 were retrospectively studied to identify the technical challenges and pitfalls associated with patellar resurfacing and to improve patellar tracking during total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Average patient age was 69 years. All surgeries were performed by a single surgeon (J.N.I), and the same prosthesis was used in all patients. Intraoperatively, attention was paid to avoid femoral and tibial component malrotation and prevent overstuffing of the patellofemoral joint. Preoperative limb alignment was varus in 42 knees, neutral in 6 knees, and valgus in 17 knees. Average pre-resection patellar thickness measured 23.8 mm and post-resection thickness averaged 21.5 mm. No patella-prosthesis composite was thicker than the native patella. Two (3%) knees required a formal lateral release to improve patellar tracking at surgery. Average follow-up for 53 patients (61 knees) was 5 years. At latest follow-up, 4 (6%) patients reported mild anterior knee pain, 5 (7%) patients reported pain with stairs, and 2 (3%) patients had knee crepitus without pain. No dislocations or recurrent subluxations occurred. No patient required revision surgery for patellofemoral complication. Awareness of the anatomic variability, attention to component rotation, and restoration of the normal patellar height improves patellar tracking and minimizes patellofemoral instability following TKA.
Aged↗
Intraoperative blood management in joint replacement surgery.
Interest is growing in blood conservation and avoidance of transfusion in patients undergoing orthopedic surgery, especially in the field of joint replacement. Several methods have proven successful in reducing intraoperative blood loss, which can translate into lessened allogeneic and autologous transfusion requirements. Available techniques include acute normovolemic hemodilution, hypotensive anesthesia, intraoperative blood salvage, specialized cautery, topical hemostatic agents, and pharmacologic agents given in the perioperative period. The greatest potential benefit arises in operations with greater expected blood loss or in special situations such as in patients with religious issues, bilateral joint replacement, coagulation disorders, or significant preoperative anemia.
Antifibrinolytic Agents↗
Blood management in patients with deep prosthetic hip and knee infections.
Patients undergoing treatment for infected hip and knee replacements often have significant blood loss and require allogeneic blood transfusions. In the setting of sepsis, traditional methods of blood management such as preoperative blood donations, cell savers, and reinfusion drains are contraindicated. Pharmacologic agents can minimize transfusion requirements by increasing erythropoiesis, or minimize perioperative blood loss. This article reviews the use of these agents in the management of patients with deep prosthetic hip and knee infections.
Antifibrinolytic Agents↗
A quantitative histologic comparison: ACL degeneration in the osteoarthritic knee.
Newer prosthetic total knee arthroplasty (TKA) designs as well as unicondylar TKAs spare the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Although success of these procedures requires near normal ACL function, little has been written about the histologic features or the arthritic ACL. This study was designed to histologically evaluate the ACL for microscopic evidence of degeneration. Nineteen ACLs were harvested from 16 different patients who underwent TKA as a result of severe osteoarthritis. Control ligaments were obtained from bone bank donors (N = 14), patients with above-knee amputations (N = 5), and cadaveric formalin-preserved knees (N = 6). Orientation was maintained for each ACL. Degenerative parameters included loose, fibrous connective tissue and myxoid and cystic occurrences, and the presence of chondroid metaplasia or calcium phosphate crystals were evaluated and scored. Forty-seven percent of the osteoarthritic group had moderate/marked degeneration, whereas no control specimen showed such changes. Seventy-two percent of the controls were considered normal, compared with only 26% of the osteoarthritic group. Both of these findings were statistically significant (P<.001). Statistical analysis revealed no gender bias either within or between groups. In the control group, no statistical difference was found between patients older than age 65 and those younger than 65. In the osteoarthritic group, however, 70% of patients younger than 65 demonstrated moderate/marked changes compared with only 22% of those older than 65 (P<.05). There also was no difference demonstrated between the 4 focal sections of the ligaments that were examined.
Adult↗
Bleeding associated with thromboprophylaxis: a multifactorial issue.
Although postoperative bleeding is a legitimate concern when anticoagulant agents are used in thromboprophylaxis during total joint arthroplasty, the incidence of bleeding reported in clinical trials must be evaluated. Postoperative bleeding is a multifactorial effect that may be influenced by variables such as preoperative risk factors; the protocol, timing, and dose of the anticoagulant; and the surgical procedure and technique, as well as by the specific anticoagulant used. Because the reported rates of bleeding associated with various anticoagulants are low and the risks of venous thromboembolism in the absence of prophylaxis are high, thromboprophylaxis is a safe and effective strategy for reducing morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty.
Anticoagulants↗
The subvastus approach to the knee.
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Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee↗
Blood management in revision total knee arthroplasty.
Much attention has been focused on blood management issues in orthopaedic surgery in recent years, but blood management in patients having revision total knee arthroplasty is not well-established. Hematologic values and transfusion records of 100 patients (52 women, 48 men; mean age, 65 years) who had aseptic revision total knee arthroplasty at the authors' institution were evaluated retrospectively. Two- or three-component revisions comprised 66% of the procedures, and 58 patients participated in a preoperative autologous donation program. The mean preoperative hemoglobin level was 12.1 g/dL in the women and 14.1 g/dL in the men, but the men experienced a greater decrease in hemoglobin level (mean largest decrease, 4.2 g/dL versus 3.1 g/dL), possibly caused by the higher allogeneic transfusion rate in women (19.2%) versus men (4.2%). Patient age did not influence hemoglobin level or transfusion rates. Patients who participated in a preoperative autologous donation program had significantly higher hemoglobin levels before donation (14.4 g/dL versus 13.3 g/dL for patients who did not participate in a program) but comparable hemoglobin levels after predonation (12.9 g/dL). Patients with preoperative hemoglobin levels less than 13 g/dL were significantly more likely to have a transfusion. Symptom-based transfusion strategies and blood management approaches such as epoetin alfa that elevate preoperative hemoglobin level therefore may be beneficial in patients having revision total knee arthroplasty.
Adult↗