Influence of synovectomy on blood loss and need for transfusion in standard total knee replacement.

BACKGROUND

Synovial proliferation is a rather frequent intraoperative finding during the surgery of a total knee replacement. The aim of this study is to asses whether the standard procedure of a synovectomy results in changes in blood loss and in the need for transfusion in the immediate postoperative time after the total knee replacement.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study was performed with 120 patients undergoing total knee replacement (60 with synovectomy and 60 without it). Data on gender, age, and hemoglobin concentration prior to and after surgery were obtained. A bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed.

RESULTS

The male gender as a protective factor [RR 0.25 (0.06-1.01)] and the low preoperative hemoglobin as a risk factor [RR 6.22 (2.48-15.58)] were significant in bivariate analysis. However, only the presence of low preoperative hemoglobin was shown to have an independent risk factor for the need for transfusion [RR 8.55 (2.77-26.45)].

CONCLUSION

The practice of synovectomy showed no difference either in blood loss or in the number of transfusions. The findings of this study indicate that the practice of a synovectomy in a standard total knee replacement does not generate any benefit or prejudice as to the blood factor of the total knee arthroplasty.