The effect of administering colloid solution on the postoperative blood loss in patients who are undergoing total knee arthroplasty: Comparing Hextend with Voluven

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Total knee arthroplasty (TKR) is associated with a significant loss of blood. Fluid substitution with crystalloid or colloid solutions to correct perioperative hypovolemia is essential. Colloid solutions, and especially hydroxyethyl starches (HES), are used to treat hypovolemia, but they may affect blood coagulation. The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy and the safety of colloid solutions in patients undergoing TKR. METHODS: The patients undergoing TKR were divided into a group that underwent fluid management with Voluven(R) (n = 22) and a group that was managed with Hextend(R) (n = 24). The blood loss, the autotransfused blood volume, the hemoglobin level, the allogenic blood requirement, the urine output and the complications were assessed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the amount of blood loss, the autotransfused blood volume, the allogenic requirement, the urine output and the complications between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Voluven(R) and Hextend(R) are equally efficacious plasma volume substitutes when performing TKR with an autotransfusion of drained blood.