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The Use of Reinfusion Drains after Total Knee Arthroplasty in Patients Treated with Low Molecular Weight Heparin for Thromboembolic Prophylaxis

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Abstract

The effect of closed-suction drainage with red-cell reinfusion on patients receiving low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) prophylaxis after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has not been previously studied. Therefore, our goals were to determine the effect of reinfusion drains and LMWH on allogeneic transfusions and wound complications after TKA by comparing patients treated with and without drains. Overall, transfusion rates were lower in the drain group (40% vs 15%, P=.04). Patients with reinfusion drains had a significantly higher rate of allogeneic transfusion (15.8%) than those predonating autologous blood and no drain (5.4%, P=.0003). The drain group had lower rates of wound complications (P=not significant). We were unable to demonstrate the efficacy of red-cell reinfusion as a substitute for autologous donation in TKA.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Mary E. Hardwick, RN, MSN for assistance in the preparation of this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Illinois Bone and Joint Institute, Morton Grove, IL, USA

    Alexander C. Gordon

  2. Department of Orthopaedics, Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, CA, USA

    Pam Pulido & Clifford W. Colwell Jr

  3. Shiley Center for Orthopaedic Research and Education, Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, CA, USA

    Steven N. Copp, Kace A. Ezzet, Richard H. Walker & Clifford W. Colwell Jr

  4. Scripps Center for Orthopaedic Research and Education, c/o Mary Hardwick, 11025 N. Torrey Pines Rd, Suite 140, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA

    Clifford W. Colwell Jr

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  1. Alexander C. Gordon
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  2. Pam Pulido
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  3. Steven N. Copp
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  4. Kace A. Ezzet
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  5. Richard H. Walker
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  6. Clifford W. Colwell Jr
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Correspondence to Clifford W. Colwell Jr.

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Gordon, A.C., Pulido, P., Copp, S.N. et al. The Use of Reinfusion Drains after Total Knee Arthroplasty in Patients Treated with Low Molecular Weight Heparin for Thromboembolic Prophylaxis. HSS Jrnl 1, 19–24 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11420-005-0122-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11420-005-0122-2

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