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Use of a bipolar sealer device decreased transfusion rate, blood loss during THA
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Use of a bipolar sealer device during primary, direct anterior approach total hip arthroplasty significantly decreased the transfusion rate and calculated blood loss compared with procedures that used standard electrocautery, according to results of this level 1 study.
Researchers enrolled 118 patients undergoing unilateral, primary direct anterior approach total hip arthroplasty (THA), and randomly assigned 57 patients to the bipolar sealer treatment arm and 61 to the standard electrocautery control arm. The postoperative transfusion rate was the primary outcome measure, while calculated blood loss was the secondary outcome measure.
In a perioperative blood loss analysis, results showed a transfusion rates of 3.5% and 16.4% for the bipolar sealer and control groups, respectively. Patients treated with the bipolar sealer experienced a statistically significant decrease in hemoglobin drop, calculated blood loss and hidden blood loss, according to researchers. Compared with the control group, researchers noted significantly higher postoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit values in the bipolar sealer group on postoperative days 1, 2 and 3. However, there was no significant difference in the preoperative levels between groups, according to results. – by Casey Tingle
Disclosures: Suarez is on the speakers bureau for DePuy Orthopedics. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
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