• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.253-260
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• 2021

Purpose: The least constrained prosthesis is generally recommended in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Nevertheless, a varus/valgus constrained (VVC) prosthesis should be implanted when a semi-constrained prosthesis is not good for adequate stability, especially in the coronal plane. In domestic situations, however, the VVC prosthesis could not always be prepared for every primary TKA case. Therefore, it is sometimes impractical to use a VVC prosthesis for unsual unstable situations. This study provides information for preparing VVC prostheses in the preoperative planning of primary TKA through an analysis of primary VVC TKA cases. Materials and Methods: This study reviewed 1,797 primary TKAs, performed between May 2003 and February 2016. The reasons for requiring VVC prosthesis and the preoperative conditions in 29 TKAs that underwent primary TKA with a VVC prosthesis were analyzed retrospectively. Results: In primary TKA, 29 cases (1.6%) in 27 patients (6 male and 21 female) used VVC prosthesis. Two patients underwent a VVC prosthesis on both knees. The mean age of the patients was 63.4 years old (34-79 years). The mean flexion contracture was 16.2° (-20°-90°), and the mean angle of great flexion was 111.7° (35°-145°). The situations requiring a VVC prosthesis were severe valgus deformity in 10 knees, knee stiffness requiring extensive soft tissue release in 10 knees, previously injured collateral ligaments in five knees, and distal femoral bone defect due to avascular necrosis in four knees. The mean tibiofemoral angle was 25.7° (21°-43°) in 10 cases with a valgus deformity. The mean flexion contracture was 37.5° (20°-90°), and the mean range of motion was 48.5° (10°-70°) in 10 cases with knee stiffness. Conclusion: The preparation of VVC prosthesis is recommended, even for primary TKA in cases of severe valgus deformity (tibiofemoral angle>20°), stiff knee (the range of motion: less than 70° with more than 20° flexion contracture), and the cases with a previous collateral ligament injury. This information will help in the preparation of adequate TKA prostheses for unusual unstable situations.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.142-149
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• 2021

Purpose: This study examined the effectiveness of tranexamic acid in reducing postoperative blood loss in total knee arthroplasty by comparing the methods of administration between an intravenous group, topical group, and non-tranexamic acid group. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective case series study of patients who underwent primary total knee arthroplasty from March 2017 to February 2019 performed by a single surgeon. The study population was divided into three groups according to the method of tranexamic acid administration (Group I: intravenous group, Group II: topical group, Group III: non-tranexamic acid group). To evaluate the effectiveness of tranexamic acids, the total amount of postoperative blood loss, postoperative hemoglobin loss, and volume of red blood cell transfusion in the three groups were compared. Results: The total amount of postoperative blood loss was lower in the tranexamic acid administered group than in the non-tranexamic acid group (1,366±866 ml). Among the administration methods, the intravenous group (987±449 ml) was significantly lower than the topical group (1,136±339 ml) (p=0.004). Postoperative hemoglobin loss was lower in the tranexamic acid group than the non-tranexamic acid group. Among the administration methods, the intravenous group was lower than the topical group. The transfusion rate was higher in the non-tranexamic acid group (5.7%) than the tranexamic administered group. The transfusion rate of the intravenous group was 1.4%, and no patient required a transfusion postoperatively in the topical group. The number of postoperative thromboembolic events, as a complication of tranexamic acid, was similar in the three groups. Conclusion: Tranexamic acid was effective in reducing postoperative blood loss after primary total knee arthroplasty compared to the non-tranexamic acid administered group. No significant difference in the complications induced by tranexamic acid was observed among the three groups.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.127-132
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• 2019

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine if preoperative temporary discontinuation of antiplatelet medication (aspirin, clopidogrel, or cilostazol) is a safe procedure that does not increase early postoperative bleeding and allogenic blood transfusion after a total knee arthroplasty. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted among consecutive patients who underwent navigation assisted primary total knee arthroplasty performed by a single surgeon, from January 2013 to December 2016. A total of 369 patients enrolled in this study were divided into two groups, 271 patients with no history of antiplatelet therapy and 98 patients who underwent 7 days of temporary withdrawal of antiplatelet therapy. Comparative analysis between the two groups, on the variation of hemoglobin and hematocrit during the first and second postoperative days, was conducted to determine the amount of early postoperative bleeding and the frequency of allogenic blood transfusion during hospitalization. Results: The variation of hemoglobin, hematocrit during the first and second postoperative days and the frequency of allogenic blood transfusion between no history of antiplatelet medication and discontinuation antiplatelet medication before 7 days from surgery were similar in both groups. Of the 369 patients, 149 patients received a blood transfusion during their hospitalization. Compared to patients who did not receive a blood transfusion, those who did received blood transfusion were significantly older in age, smaller in height, lighter in weight, and showed significantly lower preoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit values. No statistically significant differences in sex, preoperative American Society of Anesthesiologists scores, and the history of antiplatelet medication until 7 days prior to surgery were observed between the two groups according to blood transfusion. Conclusion: Compared to patients with no history of antiplatelet medication, the temporary discontinuation of antiplatelet medication 7 days prior to surgery in patients undergoing antiplatelet medication did not increase the amount of postoperative bleeding or the need for allogenic blood transfusion.