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The substantial blood loss that can occur during total hip arthroplasty frequently requires allogeneic transfusions. Both allogeneic transfusions and post-operative anemia are causes of increased morbidity, cardiovascular risks, and length of stay. This anemia can also lead to decreased vigor, suboptimal rehabilitation, and lowered quality of life in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty. The aim of this review was to analyze recent evidence on nonsurgical intra-operative blood management strategies utilized for total hip arthroplasty. Specifically, we evaluated the use of fibrin sealants, desmopressin, acute normovolemic hemodilution, hypotensive anesthesia, blood salvage, and peri-operative normothermia. No single strategy has been shown to provide superior results over another in reducing the need for allogeneic transfusions. However, a combination of the above blood management strategies may further result in reduced blood loss over one strategy. Larger prospective randomized studies comparing the individual strategies, as well as their combination, are needed to develop the best algorithm that can be the most effective and safe for intra-operative blood management in total hip arthroplasty.

Total hip arthroplasty is associated with extensive blood loss, which is often corrected using allogeneic blood transfusions. However, Jehovah's Witnesses often refuse allogeneic blood transfusions or certain types of autologous blood transfusions due to their religious beliefs. This may represent a tremendous challenge for the orthopaedic surgeon and their team. Performing a total hip arthroplasty on a Jehovah's Witness patient requires a well-trained group of physicians willing to pre-operatively optimize the patient, attempt to minimize the blood loss during the surgery, adequately manage the post-operative period, and be aware of which of the life-saving strategies can be used in these patients during an emergency situation. Ultimately, physicians should be prepared to deal with marked blood loss and respect the patients' wishes, values, and beliefs. This review focuses on studies where primary or revision total hip arthroplasty was performed in Jehovah's Witness patients. Therefore, we will illustrate that with a prepared team and an optimized patient, it is potentially quite safe to perform total hip arthroplasties in Jehovah's Witness patients.

This section will complement other recent review articles of blood conservation in total hip arthroplasty. The purpose of this review was to provide a broad overview, as well as to evaluate the recent evidence on surgical intra-operative blood management strategies utilized for total hip arthroplasty. In this section, we specifically evaluated the use of bipolar sealants, patient positioning, wound compression, computer-assisted surgery, minimally invasive surgical approach, and cemented versus noncemented prostheses.

Substantial amounts of perioperative blood loss occur during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) that may require allogeneic transfusion in more than 30% of patients. Increased blood loss leads to poor physical functioning, increases infection risks, and prolongs hospitalization, which may eventually affect the overall clinical outcomes of TKA. In addition, allogeneic blood transfusions are associated with increased risks of transfusion reactions, immunosuppression, and a variety of immunological reactions. These concerns have led surgeons and anesthesiologists to develop various strategies to conserve blood, reduce costs, and decrease complications related to blood transfusions. Multiple nonpharmacologic intraoperative blood-saving measures have been used including acute normovolemic hemodilution, hypotensive anesthesia, tourniquets, bipolar sealants, intraoperative blood salvage systems, intramedullary femoral plugs, computer-assisted surgery, and the use of patient-specific instrumentation. However, no clear protocol exists currently to help surgeons choose the appropriate method for blood preservation. The aim of this article was to review the various nonpharmacologic intraoperative blood management strategies that have been used in TKA and to analyze their effectiveness and potential complications according to current evidence., (Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.)

Bone and soft tissue bleeding often results in substantial amounts of blood loss following total knee arthroplasty. Multiple studies have reported that cumulative blood loss varies between 500 and 1,500 mL in primary settings. Increased perioperative blood loss frequently requires allogeneic blood transfusions to improve the hematocrit and the hemoglobin levels. However, allogeneic transfusion is associated with risks of immunosuppression, transfusion reactions, graft versus host disease, and transmission of infections. To avoid these problems and reduce costs of transfusion, multiple intraoperative pharmacotherapeutic strategies have been developed. The various pharmacotherapeutic agents currently used are tranexamic acid, epsilon-aminocaproic acid, fibrin, thrombin, lavage with epinephrine, and norepinephrine. However, the relative efficacy and the cost-effectiveness of these techniques may vary. Thus, the purpose of this study was to provide a brief overview of the relative efficacy of various intraoperative pharmacological methods currently in use for decreasing blood loss following total knee arthroplasty and describe their potential complications associated with their use., (Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.)

Elective total knee arthroplasty is frequently associated with considerable blood loss and a concomitant decline in hemoglobin postoperatively. This often leads to high rates of allogeneic transfusions, with reports of up to 69%, to treat postoperative anemia. Allogeneic blood transfusions have been shown to be an independent risk factor for increased adverse outcomes, such as prolonged length of hospital stay and postoperative infections. Although multiple preoperative blood management strategies have been proposed, there are no concise guidelines, as few studies have compared the relative efficacy of these techniques. The aim of this review was to evaluate current evidence on the various preoperative blood management strategies for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty and to provide an overview of the safety and efficacy of these practices. Specifically, we evaluated preoperative autologous blood donation, iron therapy, and intravenous erythropoietin. Current evidence suggests that these techniques independently may be effective at reducing the incidence of allogeneic blood transfusions, correcting preoperative, and preventing postoperative anemia. However, more studies are necessary to evaluate combination protocols, as well as the cost-effectiveness and safety of these practices as part of routine preoperative blood management for total knee arthroplasty., (Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.)

Primary or revision total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) may be associated with a marked amount of intraoperative or postoperative blood loss that potentially may lead to the need for blood transfusions. However, Jehovah's Witnesses usually refuse blood transfusions because of their religious beliefs. This may create clinical or ethical challenges for the treating physicians. Therefore, following established blood management protocols specifically designed for these patients may be beneficial for the performance of safe and transfusion-free procedures with minimal complications. In this report, we provide an overview of various potential preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative blood management measures that may be used for the care of Jehovah's Witnesses who undergo knee arthroplasty procedures. In addition, we review reported outcomes of primary and revision TKAs in these patients., (Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.)

Blood loss is a serious concern during lower extremity total joint arthroplasty with the estimated reduction in hemoglobin concentration known to vary between 2 and 4 g/dL after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Allogeneic transfusions are commonly used to treat the acute blood loss and postoperative anemia to diminish the potential cardiovascular risks in up to 50% of such cases with a high volume of blood loss. However, these transfusions are associated with the risks of immunologic reactions, immunosuppression, and infection transmission. Multiple blood-saving strategies have been developed to minimize blood loss, to reduce transfusion rates, to decrease complications, and to improve outcomes in the postoperative period. Currently, there are no clear guidelines on the blood management strategies adopted to lessen the blood loss associated with TKA. The aim of this study was to review the literature and provide a broad summary of the efficacy and complications associated with several blood-saving measures that are currently used in the postoperative period. Evidence suggests that simple techniques such as limb elevation, cryotherapy, compression dressings, and drain clamping may reduce external drainage, however, whether these techniques lead to less allogeneic transfusions is currently debatable. Further research on using a combination of these strategies and their cost-effectiveness are needed., (Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.)

Total hip arthroplasty is associated with marked blood loss, with the potential for up to 90% of patients requiring allogeneic transfusions. Also, perioperative-induced anemia is associated with lower postoperative functional scores, increased mortality, increased cardiovascular risks, longer hospital stays, and postoperative infections. The purpose of this review was to analyze the recent evidence on preoperative blood management strategies utilized for total hip arthroplasty. Specifically, we evaluated the use of preoperative iron therapy, intravenous erythropoietin, and autologous blood donation. No single strategy was shown to be superior over another in reducing the need for allogeneic transfusions; however, a combination of these blood management strategies may result in improved blood loss outcomes. Larger prospective randomized studies comparing the individual strategies, as well as combination therapies, are needed to develop a concise statement on the most effective and efficient preoperative blood management treatment algorithms for total hip arthroplasty.