Randomized Blinded Study Comparing a Bipolar Sealer and Standard Electrocautery in Reducing Transfusion Requirements in Anterior Supine Intermuscular Total Hip Arthroplasty

• Published in: The Journal of arthroplasty Vol. 28; no. 9; pp. 1614 - 1617
• Main Authors: Morris, Michael J., MD, Barrett, Meredith, BS, Lombardi Jr., Adolph V., MD, FACS, Tucker, Tawnya L., MT, Berend, Keith R., MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-10-2013
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; anterior supine interval; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip - methods; bipolar sealer; blood loss; Blood Loss, Surgical - prevention & control; Double-Blind Method; Electrocoagulation - methods; Female; Hemostasis, Surgical; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Orthopedics; primary hip arthroplasty; Prospective Studies; transfusion rates; primary hip arthroplasty; transfusion rates; bipolar sealer; anterior supine interval; blood loss
• ISSN: 0883-5403; 1532-8406
• DOI: 10.1016/j.arth.2013.01.032

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 3.3 g). 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.