This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Blood loss, hospital stay do not decrease with PRP use during TKA
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
Patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty with the use of platelet-rich plasma did not experience less blood loss or a shorter hospital stay compared with control patients, according to study results.
Researchers prospectively observed 93 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Forty-six patients underwent TKA with the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection, and a control group comprising 47 patients underwent TKA without the PRP injection.
The researchers recorded hemoglobin and hematocrit levels pre- and postoperatively. Additionally, blood loss was recorded during patients’ surgeries, and measurement of the auto-collection reinfusion drain system was recorded. The researchers also recorded the lengths of patients’ hospital stays.
Results showed use of the PRP injection did not significantly affect estimated blood loss during the surgery, according to the researchers. There was also no significant difference in drain output between the groups. Additionally, PRP injection did not effect postoperative hemoglobin levels; however postoperative levels were largely based on the preoperative hemoglobin levels.
According to the researchers, the length of hospital stay was significantly influenced by the age and sex of the patient. Older patients were more likely to stay at the hospital longer compared with younger patients; additionally, women were more likely than men to have longer hospital stays. ‒ by Monica Jaramillo
Disclosures: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
Perspective
Back to TopJohn M. Cuckler, MD
This study is an important contribution toward the scientific assessment of a biologic therapy, namely PRP, in the management of common orthopedic events, such as total knee replacement (TKR). This is exactly the type of clinical investigation necessary to define the indications and results of the exciting potential of biologic-based interventions, and should guide surgeons in their rational use. As always, independent confirmation of these results is desirable, but for now, enthusiasm in the use of PRP in TKR should be tempered, at least for the measured parameters in this study.
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts