Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can be associated with substantial blood loss, leading to increased morbidity and transfusion rates. The study objective was to evaluate routine use of a thrombin-based topical hemostatic matrix in reducing blood loss and transfusion requirements in primary TKA. 108 patients were enrolled in a prospective, randomized, single-center trial. Patients receiving the hemostatic agent demonstrated a lower mean calculated blood loss (1325.2±464.8mL vs. control, 1509.3±432.8mL; P=0.02), drain output (415.6±202.0mL vs. control, 579.9±306.7mL; P=0.008), and length of stay (3.3±0.8days vs. control, 3.7±1.1days; P=0.03), without a statistically significant difference in mean hemoglobin loss or transfusion requirements. The clinical utility of this hemostatic agent to reduce transfusions after uncomplicated, primary TKA continues to remain unclear.
Keywords: Floseal; Total knee arthroplasty; blood conservation; blood management; hemostatic agent; transfusion.
Published by Elsevier Inc.