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PRP application during TKA does not impact blood loss, length of hospital stay
Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2011. doi: 10.1007/s11999-011-1972-1
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The intraoperative application of platelet-rich plasma during total knee arthroplasty does not reduce postoperative bleeding, according to researchers in Philadelphia.
Previous reports, the authors noted, have suggested platelet-rich plasma (PRP) application during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can decrease postoperative bleeding — potentially reducing postoperative pain, inflammation and need for narcotics while also reportedly speeding up recovery.
The authors performed a retrospective review of 134 TKA patients who received intraoperative PRP from November 2009 to April 2010, and compared results in the cohort to a group of 139 TKA patients who did not receive PRP from September 2009 to November 2009. Reviewed data included hemoglobin level, range of motion, postoperative narcotic use, and length of hospital stay.
The researchers wrote they found similar blood loss between both study groups, as well as similar findings in passive range of motion, narcotic requirement and length of hospital stay.
“We found no clinically important differences in patients who received an intraoperative application of PRP compared with patients who did not receive PRP and therefore could not confirm the findings of previous studies,” the authors wrote.