Hemostatic matrix effects on blood loss after total knee arthroplasty: A randomized controlled trial

The Use of Bone Wax in Hemostatic Control for Total Knee and Hip Arthroplasties: A Systematic Review

Background/Objectives: Blood loss can be a serious complication in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Various methods are used by surgeons to achieve hemostatic control in these patients. Complications are associated with perioperative blood loss. In this systematic review, we examined the efficacy of using bone wax to control bleeding in patients undergoing THA and TKA. Methods: The PRISMA model was used to systematically identify and aggregate articles for this study. The PubMed and EMBASE databases were used to search individual studies that examined the use of bone wax in THA or TKA. After applying the search term "bone wax", 2478 articles were initially identified. After inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, three articles were aggregated for this systematic review. Results: The use of bone wax in THA and TKA decreased blood loss in patients undergoing these operations. Postoperative blood loss following surgery was lower in the bone wax groups compared to the control groups as well. Patients in the bone wax groups also required fewer blood transfusions than those who did not receive bone wax. Conclusions: Bone wax appears to be another modality that can be used by physicians to maintain hemostatic control in THA or TKA patients. Reduced blood loss and transfusion rates in surgery can increase patient outcomes. More studies are needed to examine the efficacy of bone wax in comparison with other hemostatic tools.

Pharmacological interventions for the prevention of bleeding in people undergoing elective hip or knee surgery: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Hip and knee replacement surgery is a well-established means of improving quality of life, but is associated with a significant risk of bleeding. One-third of people are estimated to be anaemic before hip or knee replacement surgery; coupled with the blood lost during surgery, up to 90% of individuals are anaemic postoperatively. As a result, people undergoing orthopaedic surgery receive 3.9% of all packed red blood cell transfusions in the UK. Bleeding and the need for allogeneic blood transfusions has been shown to increase the risk of surgical site infection and mortality, and is associated with an increased duration of hospital stay and costs associated with surgery. Reducing blood loss during surgery may reduce the risk of allogeneic blood transfusion, reduce costs and improve outcomes following surgery. Several pharmacological interventions are available and currently employed as part of routine clinical care.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the relative efficacy of pharmacological interventions for preventing blood loss in elective primary or revision hip or knee replacement, and to identify optimal administration of interventions regarding timing, dose and route, using network meta-analysis (NMA) methodology.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the following databases for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews, from inception to 18 October 2022: CENTRAL (the Cochrane Library), MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCOhost), Transfusion Evidence Library (Evidentia), ClinicalTrials.gov and WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP).

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included RCTs of people undergoing elective hip or knee surgery only. We excluded non-elective or emergency procedures, and studies published since 2010 that had not been prospectively registered (Cochrane Injuries policy). There were no restrictions on gender, ethnicity or age (adults only). We excluded studies that used standard of care as the comparator. Eligible interventions included: antifibrinolytics (tranexamic acid (TXA), aprotinin, epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA)), desmopressin, factor VIIa and XIII, fibrinogen, fibrin sealants and non-fibrin sealants.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We performed the review according to standard Cochrane methodology. Two authors independently assessed trial eligibility and risk of bias, and extracted data. We assessed the certainty of the evidence using CINeMA. We presented direct (pairwise) results using RevMan Web and performed the NMA using BUGSnet. We were interested in the following primary outcomes: need for allogenic blood transfusion (up to 30 days) and all-cause mortality (deaths occurring up to 30 days after the operation), and the following secondary outcomes: mean number of transfusion episodes per person (up to 30 days), re-operation due to bleeding (within seven days), length of hospital stay and adverse events related to the intervention received.

MAIN RESULTS

We included a total of 102 studies. Twelve studies did not report the number of included participants; the other 90 studies included 8418 participants. Trials included more women (64%) than men (36%). In the NMA for allogeneic blood transfusion, we included 47 studies (4398 participants). Most studies examined TXA (58 arms, 56%). We found that TXA, given intra-articularly and orally at a total dose of greater than 3 g pre-incision, intraoperatively and postoperatively, ranked the highest, with an anticipated absolute effect of 147 fewer blood transfusions per 1000 people (150 fewer to 104 fewer) (53% chance of ranking 1st) within the NMA (risk ratio (RR) 0.02, 95% credible interval (CrI) 0 to 0.31; moderate-certainty evidence). This was followed by TXA given orally at a total dose of 3 g pre-incision and postoperatively (RR 0.06, 95% CrI 0.00 to 1.34; low-certainty evidence) and TXA given intravenously and orally at a total dose of greater than 3 g intraoperatively and postoperatively (RR 0.10, 95% CrI 0.02 to 0.55; low-certainty evidence). Aprotinin (RR 0.59, 95% CrI 0.36 to 0.96; low-certainty evidence), topical fibrin (RR 0.86, CrI 0.25 to 2.93; very low-certainty evidence) and EACA (RR 0.60, 95% CrI 0.29 to 1.27; very low-certainty evidence) were not shown to be as effective compared with TXA at reducing the risk of blood transfusion. We were unable to perform an NMA for our primary outcome all-cause mortality within 30 days of surgery due to the large number of studies with zero events, or because the outcome was not reported. In the NMA for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), we included 19 studies (2395 participants). Most studies examined TXA (27 arms, 64%). No studies assessed desmopressin, EACA or topical fibrin. We found that TXA given intravenously and orally at a total dose of greater than 3 g intraoperatively and postoperatively ranked the highest, with an anticipated absolute effect of 67 fewer DVTs per 1000 people (67 fewer to 34 more) (26% chance of ranking first) within the NMA (RR 0.16, 95% CrI 0.02 to 1.43; low-certainty evidence). This was followed by TXA given intravenously and intra-articularly at a total dose of 2 g pre-incision and intraoperatively (RR 0.21, 95% CrI 0.00 to 9.12; low-certainty evidence) and TXA given intravenously and intra-articularly, total dose greater than 3 g pre-incision, intraoperatively and postoperatively (RR 0.13, 95% CrI 0.01 to 3.11; low-certainty evidence). Aprotinin was not shown to be as effective compared with TXA (RR 0.67, 95% CrI 0.28 to 1.62; very low-certainty evidence). We were unable to perform an NMA for our secondary outcomes pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction and CVA (stroke) within 30 days, mean number of transfusion episodes per person (up to 30 days), re-operation due to bleeding (within seven days), or length of hospital stay, due to the large number of studies with zero events, or because the outcome was not reported by enough studies to build a network. There are 30 ongoing trials planning to recruit 3776 participants, the majority examining TXA (26 trials).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

We found that of all the interventions studied, TXA is probably the most effective intervention for preventing bleeding in people undergoing hip or knee replacement surgery. Aprotinin and EACA may not be as effective as TXA at preventing the need for allogeneic blood transfusion. We were not able to draw strong conclusions on the optimal dose, route and timing of administration of TXA. We found that TXA given at higher doses tended to rank higher in the treatment hierarchy, and we also found that it may be more beneficial to use a mixed route of administration (oral and intra-articular, oral and intravenous, or intravenous and intra-articular). Oral administration may be as effective as intravenous administration of TXA. We found little to no evidence of harm associated with higher doses of tranexamic acid in the risk of DVT. However, we are not able to definitively draw these conclusions based on the trials included within this review.

Effects of Thrombin-Based Hemostatic Agent in Total Knee Arthroplasty: Meta-Analysis

The effectiveness of Floseal, a thrombin-based hemostatic matrix, in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in minimizing blood loss and transfusion requirements remains a topic of debate. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the up-to-date randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the efficacy and safety of Floseal in TKA. A comprehensive search was conducted in electronic databases to identify relevant RCTs. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed, and data extraction was performed. The pooled effect sizes were calculated using standardized mean difference (SMD) or odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Eight studies involving 904 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The use of a thrombin-based hemostatic agent significantly reduced hemoglobin decline (SMD = -0.49, 95% CI: -0.92 to -0.07) and the risk of allogenic transfusion (OR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.25 to 0.81) but showed no significant difference in the volume of drainage or total blood loss. Funnel plots showed no evidence of publication bias. This meta-analysis provides robust evidence supporting the effectiveness of Floseal in reducing hemoglobin decline and transfusion in TKA. Further well-designed RCTs with longer follow-up periods are warranted to assess long-term efficacy and safety.

Does prophylactic use of topical gelatin-thrombin matrix sealant affect postoperative drainage volume and hematoma formation following microendoscopic spine surgery? A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Microendoscopic spinal surgery has demonstrated efficacy and is increasingly utilized as a minimally invasive approach to neural decompression, but there is a theoretical concern that bleeding and postoperative epidural hematoma (PEH) may occur with increased frequency in a contained small surgical field. Hemostatic agents, such as topical gelatin-thrombin matrix sealant (TGTMS), are routinely used in spine surgery procedures, yet there has been no data on whether PEH is suppressed by these agents when administered in microendoscopic spine surgery.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of TGTMS on bleeding and PEH formation in lumbar micoroendoscopic surgery.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with additional prospective observational cohort.

PATIENT SAMPLE

Patients were registered from July 2017 to September 2018 and a hundred and three patients undergoing microendoscopic laminectomy for lumbar spinal stenosis at a single institution were enrolled in this study.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was the drainage volume within 48 hours after surgery. Secondary outcomes were the numerical rating scale (NRS) of leg pain on the second (NRS2) and seventh day (NRS7) after surgery and the hematoma area ratio (HAR) in horizontal images on magnetic resonance image (MRI).

METHODS

In the RCT, 41 cases that received TGTMS (F group) were compared with 41 control group cases (C group) that did not receive TGTMS at the end of the procedure. Drainage volume, NRS2, NRS7, and HAR on MRI were evaluated. Nineteen cases were excluded from the RCT (I group) due to difficulty of hemostasis during surgery and the intentional use of TGTMS for hemostasis. I group was compared with C group in the drainage volume and NRS of leg pain as a prospective observational study.

RESULTS

The RCT demonstrated no statistically significant difference in drainage volume between those receiving TGTMS (117.0±71.7; mean±standard deviation) and controls (125.0±127.0; p=.345). The NRS2 and NRS7 was 3.5±2.6 and 2.8±2.5 in the F group, respectively, and 3.1±2.6 and 2.1±2.3 in the C group, respectively. The HAR on MRI was 0.19±0.19 in the F group and 0.17±0.13 in the C group. There was no significant difference in postoperative leg pain and HAR (p=.644 for NRS2, p=.129 for NRS7, and p=.705 for HAR). In the secondary observational cohort, the drainage volume in the I group was 118.3±151.4, and NRS2 and NRS7 was 3.5±2.0 and 2.6±2.6, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in drainage volume (p=.386) or postoperative NRS of leg pain between these two groups (p=.981 and .477 for NRS2 and NRS7, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The prophylactic use of TGTMS in patients undergoing microendoscopic laminotomy for lumbar spinal stenosis did not demonstrate any difference in postoperative bleeding or PEH. Nonetheless, for patients that had active bleeding that required the use of TGTMS, there was no evidence of difference in postoperative clinical outcomes relative to controls.

Comparison of Effects of a Thrombin-Based Hemostatic Agent and Topical Tranexamic Acid on Blood Loss in Patients with Preexisting Thromboembolic Risk Undergoing a Minimally Invasive Total Knee Arthroplasty. A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

The efficacy of a thrombin-based hemostatic agent (Floseal®) on reducing postoperative blood loss after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) was still unclear. The aim of our study was to conduct a prospective randomized controlled study to compare the blood conservation effects of Floseal® and topical TXA in patients with preexisting thromboembolic risk undergoing primary minimally invasive TKA.

Methods

Our power analysis of this study was based upon the following description, to obtain a statistical power of 0.90 and an alpha error of 0.05, 30 patients were required in each group. Therefore, we enrolled a total of 103 patients with at least one of the risk factors for thromboembolism who underwent unilateral primary minimally invasive TKA, and the participants were randomly divided into the topical TXA group (n = 34), receiving intra-articular injection of 3 g of TXA in 100 mL saline after TKA, the topical Floseal® group (n = 34), receiving 10 mL of Floseal® intra-articularily during surgery, and the placebo group (n = 35), receiving an intra-articular saline injection only. The total blood loss (TBL) and hemoglobin (Hb) drop were compared among the 3 groups.

Results

The TXA group had a lower TBL of 645 mL (227 to 1090) in comparison with 1145 mL (535 to 1942) in the Floseal® group and 1103 mL (424 to 1711) in the placebo (p < 0.001, respectively). The TBL was similar between the Floseal® group and the placebo group (p = 0.819). No patients in any group had symptoms of venous thromboemblism.

Conclusion

Our prospective randomized controlled study showed that intra-articular application of TXA was superior to hemostatic matrix (Floseal®) in terms of blood conservation in patients with preexisting thromboembolic risk undergoing minimally invasive TKA. This trial is registered with Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02865174) on 08/09/2016.

Comparison of Floseal® and Tranexamic Acid for Bleeding Control after Total Knee Arthroplasty: a Prospective Randomized Study

OBJECTIVE

Tranexamic acid (TXA) and the hemostatic agent Floseal® have already been used to minimize bleeding during total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

METHODS

We conducted a prospective, randomized study of 90 patients with indications for TKA. Following inclusion, the participants were randomly allocated in blocks to the following 3 groups: control, Floseal® and TXA. Bleeding parameters, including decreases in hemoglobin (Hb), drain output, number of blood transfusions and complications, were assessed. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02152917.

RESULTS

The mean decrease in Hb was highest in the control group (4.81±1.09 g/dL), followed by the Floseal® (3.5±1.03 g/dL) and TXA (3.03±1.2 g/dL) groups. The Floseal® and TXA groups did not differ, and both performed better than the control group. The mean total drain output was 901.3±695.7 mL in the control group, 546.5±543.5 mL in the TXA group and 331.2±278.7 mL in the Floseal® group. Both TXA and Floseal® had significantly less output than the control group, and Floseal® had significantly less output than TXA. The number of blood transfusions was very small in all 3 groups.

CONCLUSION

The use of TXA or Floseal® was associated with less blood loss than that of the control group among patients undergoing primary TKA, as measured both directly (intraoperative bleeding + drainage) and on the basis of a decrease in Hb, without differences in the rate of complications. TXA and Floseal® showed similar decreases in Hb and total measured blood loss, but the drain output was smaller in the Floseal® group.

Continuous intraarticular and periarticular levobupivacaine for management of pain relief after total knee arthroplasty: A prospective randomized, double-blind pilot study

BACKGROUND

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can result in major postoperative pain which can impact the recovery and rehabilitation of patients and for this reason the use of a pain-control infusion pumps (PCIP) enhances analgesia for TKA.

PURPOSE

To investigate whether a PCIP of levobupivacaine would reduce pain in patients following TKA.

METHODS

This was a prospective, randomized, controlled study conducted in 55 patients. Criteria for participation were unilateral TKA for osteoarthritis and no allergies to levobupivacaine. The primary outcomes measured were postoperative pain intensity on Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score measured at 24 h and 48 h. Other measures included amount of narcotics, presence of adverse events, and length of hospital stay.

RESULTS

PCIP-treated patients (n = 28) showed significant reductions in VAS score at any time versus control (p < 0.01). Amount of narcotics, presence of adverse events, and length of hospital stay were significantly less with the PCIP versus control (each p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The use of a mix of levobupivacaina, ketoral-trometamina, and adrenalin provides a safe and effective means in post-operative pain relief in patients undergoing TKA.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II therapeutic study.

Does a thrombin-based topical haemostatic agent reduce blood loss and transfusion requirements after total knee revision surgery? A randomized, controlled trial

PURPOSE

The aim of the present study was to assess the efficacy of a thrombin-based topical haemostatic in reducing blood requirements after total knee replacement (TKR) revision surgery.

METHODS

This prospective, randomized, controlled study was designed to evaluate the haemostatic efficacy and safety of a thrombin-based topical haemostatic (Floseal) versus standard treatment in patients receiving total knee revision arthroplasty. The decrease in haemoglobin values postsurgery and the blood units transfused were recorded. The decision to transfuse was made by a surgeon blinded to the patient's group allocation.

RESULTS

Forty-eight patients were enroled in the study; twenty-four patients each were randomized to the treatment and control groups, respectively. The median decrease in haemoglobin concentration on the first postoperative day was 2.2 g/dL in the treatment group and 2.7 g/dL in the control group. A significant reduction in units of blood transfused was also observed in the treatment group compared with the control group [1.1 ± 1.13 (range 0-4) vs. 1.9 ± 1.41 (range 0-5) blood units; P = 0.04]. No major treatment-related adverse events were recorded in the study.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that a thrombin-based topical haemostatic reduces the need for blood transfusion in TKR revision surgery.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

A thrombin-based topical haemostatic agent can be an appropriate solution to enhance haemostasis and vessel sealing at the operative site in TKR revision surgery, in order to reduce the need for blood transfusion after surgery.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

II.

The efficacy of a thrombin-based hemostatic agent in primary total knee arthroplasty: a meta-analysis

Purpose

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a popular procedure in severe osteoarthritis. But perioperative bleeding remains a problem. Floseal® is a mixture of thrombin and bovine gelatin which can benefit a lot on reducing intraoperative and postoperative bleeding. However, there is no enough evidence judging its safety and efficiency. So a meta-analysis is conducted by us to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a thrombin-based hemostatic agent compared with conventional methods in TKA.

Method

Two independent reviewers selected literatures published before August 2014 from MEDLINE, Embase, and The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Other internet databases were also performed to identify trials according to the Cochrane Collaboration guidelines. High-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs), prospective control trials (PCTs), and case controlled trials (CCTs) were selected. The meta-analysis was undertaken using RevMan 5.1 for Windows.

Results

Three RCTs, one PCT, and one CCT met the inclusion criteria. There were significant differences in hemoglobin decline and calculated total blood loss between the Floseal® group and control group. There were no significant differences in postoperative drainage volume, rate of transfusion requirement, incidence of wound infection, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and pulmonary embolism (PE) between treatment and control groups.

Conclusions

The present meta-analysis indicates that a thrombin-based hemostatic agent can reduce hemoglobin decline and calculated total blood loss after TKA and is not related to adverse reactions or complications such as wound infection, DVT, and PE.