Use of bovine thrombin to reduce blood loss in primary total knee arthroplasty: a controlled randomized trial.
Document Type
Article
Publication Title
The Journal of arthroplasty
Abstract
Reducing blood loss during primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can improve outcomes by reducing transfusion requirements and wound complications. We examined the use of bovine thrombin to augment hemostasis during primary TKA. A double-blinded randomized trial was performed with 80 primary TKA patients. Half received intraarticular bovine thrombin at the time of wound closure, and half did not. Hemoglobin levels in the study group did decline less than the control group, but no statistically significant difference was found in rates of transfusion, drain outputs, length of stay, or Knee Society scores. This agent does appear to slightly reduce blood loss, but routine use is not cost effective. Thrombin may be considered for patients who would benefit more from greater blood conservation.
First Page
1278
Last Page
1281
DOI
10.1016/j.arth.2012.12.015
Publication Date
9-1-2013
Recommended Citation
Kusuma SK, Sheridan KC, Wasielewski RC. Use of bovine thrombin to reduce blood loss in primary total knee arthroplasty: a controlled randomized trial. J Arthroplasty. 2013 Sep;28(8):1278-81. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2012.12.015. Epub 2013 Mar 18. PMID: 23518431.