The Efficacy Comparison of Tranexamic Acid for Reducing Blood Loss in Total Knee Arthroplasty at Different Dosage Time.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of intravenous administration of tranexamic acid for reducing blood loss in total knee arthroplasty at different dosage time. METHODS: From February 2013 to December 2015, a total of 180 patients (47 in male and 133 in female) who were planned to undergo total knee arthroplasty in our trauma center were recorded. Based on dosage time of tranexamic acid administration, participants were divided into groups A, B, C, and D randomly. In groups A, B, and C, tranexamic acid (30 mg/kg) was infused intravenously 15 minutes before or after tourniquet inflation or on tourniquet deflation respectively, tranexamic acid was not applied in group D. Total blood loss (intraoperative and postoperative blood loss), blood transfusion rate and volume, hemoglobin level, and incidence of deep vein thrombosis were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: Compared with groups B, C, and D, there were significant reduction of blood loss, hemoglobin, and blood transfusion rate in group A (P < .05). Besides, there was no significant difference between groups B and C with superior efficacy than group D. CONCLUSION: Intravenous administration of tranexamic acid before tourniquet inflation was superior in terms of hemoglobin reduction, reducing blood loss and blood transfusion rate.

The outcome comparison of the suprapatellar approach and infrapatellar approach for tibia intramedullary nailing.

OBJECTIVES: This paper aimed to compare the outcome of suprapatellar and infrapatellar approaches for the tibia intramedullary nailing. METHODS: From February 2010 to August 2013, a total of 162 skeletally mature participants with tibia shaft fractures were identified and divided into suprapatellar approach group (SPAG) and infrapatellar approach group (IPAG) randomly. Fluoroscopy time, length of hospital stay, operative time, blood loss and complications were recorded. Visual analog score (VAS), Lysholm knee score and range of motion (ROM) were reviewed at one, three, six, 12 and 24 months post-operatively. All patients were required to complete short form 36 questionnaire (SF-36) at six, 12 and 24 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The follow-ups lasted two years at least. No significant differences were in major complication rate, operation time, blood loss, the ROM of injured extremity and length of hospital stay between SPAG and IPAG. Nevertheless, the fluoroscopy time was significantly lower in SPAG. VAS pain scores were lower in SPAG at six, 12 and 24 months post-operatively. A higher Lysholm knee score was observed in SPAG at six and 24 months post-operatively. Besides, a better overall physical components score was observed in SPAG except at six months post-operatively. CONCLUSIONS: The suprapatellar approach was superior to infrapatrellar approach for the treatment of tibia shaft fracture. Therefore, we recommend the suprapatellar approach as a preferable approach in tibia intramedullary nailing.

Intramedullary versus extramedullary fixation in the management of subtrochanteric femur fractures: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Intramedullary and extramedullary fixation methods are used in the management of subtrochanteric femur fractures. However, whether intramedullary or extramedullary fixation is the primary treatment for subtrochanteric femur fractures in adults remains debatable. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Meta-analyses of prospective studies, level I. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Cochrane library, Embase, Google Scholar, and PubMed databases were searched separately for all relevant studies published before January 1, 2015. No language restriction was applied. Prospective randomized controlled trials that compared intramedullary or extramedullary internal fixation to repair subtrochanteric femur fractures in adults were included. We determined intraoperative data, postoperative complications, fracture fixation complications, wound infection, hospital stay days, and final outcome measures to assess the relative effects of different internal fixation methods for the treatment of subtrochanteric femur fractures in adults. RESULTS: Six studies were included in our meta-analysis. The relative risks (RRs) of revision rate was 83% lower (RR, 0.17, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.05 to 0.60; P=0.006), fixation failure rate was 64% lower (RR, 0.36, 95% CI, 0.12 to 1.08; P=0.07), non-union rate was 77% lower (RR, 0.23, 95% CI, 0.07 to 0.81; P=0.02) in the intramedullary group compared with the extramedullary group. No significant differences were found between the intramedullary group and extramedullary group for intraoperative data, postoperative complications, wound infection, hospital stay days or final outcome measures. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our meta-analysis suggests that there was no significant difference in intraoperative data, postoperative complications, wound infection, hospital stay days or final outcome measures between intramedullary and extramedullary internal fixation. However, a significant decrease occurred in the rate of fracture fixation complications for patients treated with intramedullary internal fixation, especially in elderly patients. Some differences were not significant, but the treatment of elderly subtrochanteric femur fractures using intramedullary internal fixation is recommended.

Comparison of primary radial head replacement and ORIF (open reduction and internal fixation) in Mason type III fractures: a retrospective evaluation in 72 elderly patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare radial head prosthesis replacement with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) in the surgical treatment of Mason type III radial head fractures in 72 elderly patients. MATERIAL/METHODS: Seventy-two elderly patients (mean age, 67.1±1.25 years, range, 62-81 years) with Mason type III radial head fractures were treated from January 2001 to June 2012. Of these, 37 cases received radial prosthesis and 35 cases were treated with ORIF. All patients were followed up for 10 to 15.6 months. RESULTS: Based on the elbow functional evaluation criteria score by Broberg and Morrey, 29 cases achieved excellent results, 7 were good, and 1 was fair in the replacement group. In the ORIF group, excellent results were seen in 24 cases, good in 9, and fair in 2. The rates of good or excellent results were 78.4% and 68.6% for prosthesis replacement patients and ORIF patients, respectively (P<0.05). The Visual Analogue Scores (VAS) for replacement and ORIF groups were 2.25 and 1.67, respectively (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The radial head prosthesis replacement method is a relatively better surgical approach than ORIF in the treatment of elderly patients with Mason type III radial head fractures.