Is Routine Hemoglobin Monitoring Necessary after Elective Hip and Knee Arthroplasty?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Many orthopaedic units measure hemoglobin (Hb) levels after primary joint arthroplasty to identify patients with postoperative anemia. With the refinement of surgical techniques, blood loss in primary arthroplasty has decreased. The aim of this study was to investigate the postoperative Hb monitoring and transfusion practices in our own institution after elective hip or knee arthroplasty.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective audit of all patients who underwent elective total hip or knee arthroplasty in Galway University Hospital between March 1 and June 1, 2019. We recorded when they underwent postoperative Hb testing, whether or not they had a drop of Hb, which would indicate transfusion (<8 g/dL), and whether or not they were transfused. In patients who underwen

SUBMITTER: Hennessy O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7498732 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature