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Background: Tranexamic acid (TXA) is widely used in the orthopedic field and particularly in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Its efficacy and safety in reducing the blood loss in TKA have been well-documented in the current literature. Little data regarding TKA without tourniquet and TXA exist. Our aim is to compare three different dosages of intravenous (IV) TXA in TKA without tourniquet.Materials and Methods: A total of 180 patients undergoing TKA for knee osteoarthritis were stratified in three equal groups. All surgeries were performed under spinal anesthesia, without tourniquet. Group A (60 patients) received 15 mg/kg of IV TXA given on induction, Group B (60 patients) received an additional dose of IV TXA (15 mg/kg) 3 h after incision and Group C (60 patients) received an additional (third) dose 3 h later (15 mg/kg). The measured outcomes were the change in hemoglobin (Hb) from pre-operatively to post-operatively, the amount of blood transfusion given (units), the functional and quality of life (QoL) and pain assessment based on their corresponding scoring system.Results: Calculated blood loss, Hb decrease and transfusion rate were significantly lower in Group C (p value < 0.05). Additionally, patients that had been included in the three-dosage group benefited much more in terms of faster rehabilitation, better QoL, decreased post-operative pain, with no increase in complications.Conclusion: According to our results, three doses of IV TXA have effectively and safely reduced blood loss and the need of allogeneic blood transfusion in patients undergoing TKA without tourniquet, with additional patients-related benefits.Level Of Evidence: II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of this prospective comparative study was to evaluate the serum levels of different cytokines and the frequency of adverse reactions and wound infections in patients who underwent total knee replacement (TKR) and were not transfused or received either allogeneic blood transfusion or postoperative auto-transfusion (PAT) with unwashed shed blood. Materials and methods: A total of 248 patients were categorized into three groups; in Group 0 ( n 85) patients received no blood transfusion, in Group 1 ( n 92) patients received PAT and in Group 2 ( n 71) patients received allogeneic blood transfusion. Patient's demographic and clinical data including age, gender, body mass index, preoperative haemoglobin value, adverse reactions and complications were documented. The serum levels of IL-1b, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and TNF were measured preoperatively, and on the first, third and fifth postoperative day. A statistical analysis of the results was performed. Results: A significant elevation of cytokine values were observed during the first five postoperative days in patients who received blood transfusion after TKR. Adverse reactions (chills and pyrexia) were also more common in patients who received blood transfusion, whereas superficial infections were more common in patients who received allogeneic blood transfusion. Conclusion: The immunological status-as expressed by the measured cytokine levels-is altered in patients receiving blood transfusion compared to patients receiving no blood transfusion during the first five postoperative days. PAT is preferable to allogeneic blood transfusion in terms of the rate of adverse reactions and superficial wound infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to compare a new silicone ring tourniquet (SRT) with a classic pneumatic cuff tourniquet (PT) in terms of tolerance and recovery time following their use in healthy volunteers. Methods: Both tourniquets were applied in the arm and thigh of 15 healthy unmedicated volunteers. PT pressure was kept at 100 mmHg above the systolic blood pressure. The appropriate model of the SRT was used according to the systolic blood pressure. Pain was assessed by visual analogue scale and arterial blood pressure, pulse rate and oxygen saturation were monitored in all volunteers. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in tolerance time between SRT and PT in the arm (19.13 vs. 18.25 min) and thigh (21.52 vs. 21.39 min) nor in recovery time between the two devices. Conclusion: The SRT performed similarly to the classic PT in terms of tolerance and recovery time when applied in the arm and thigh of unmedicated healthy volunteers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of talar fractures is relatively low affecting usually young patients, while recent epidemiological studies have shown that talar body fractures represent a significant proportion of the total number of talar fractures. Talar body fractures are usually high-energy injuries and often a combined talar neck and body fracture is noted. An association between talar body fractures and ankle fractures has also been recorded involving the medial or lateral malleolus. The only report of a talar fracture combined with a bimalleolar ankle fracture that was found in the literature is referred to a talar neck fracture. In this report, a combination of a talar body fracture and bimalleolar ankle fracture in a polytraumatised young patient is presented. This combined injury pattern seems to be very rare, since a similar case was not found in the literature. An open reduction and internal fixation of the talar body fracture as well as the bimalleolar fracture, followed by a prolonged non-weight bearing, led to a fracture healing with no evidence of osteonecrosis. Minimal osteoarthritic changes of the tibiotalar joint were noted at 3 years follow-up with satisfactory functional results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]