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

• DOI: 10.1016/j.arth.2013.01.032
• Publication Date: 2013-03-16T07:31:29Z
• Authors: Michael J. Morris; Meredith Barrett; Adolph V. Lombard...; Tawnya L. Tucker; Keith R. Berend
• Keywords: Adult; Aged, 80 and over; Male; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; Blood Loss, Surgical; Middle Aged; Hemostasis, Surgical; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Double-Blind Method; Electrocoagulation; Humans; Female; Prospective Studies; Aged

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 3.3g). 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.