Currently, the impact of preoperative transfusion on postoperative morbidity following revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is unknown. A retrospective cohort study using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database was performed and included patients who underwent revision TKAs. Postoperative complications were analyzed. A total of 6,849 patients were included. Patients who received a preoperative blood transfusion were found to have an increased risk of developing 3 of 17 adverse events. Although overall complication rates remain relatively low, orthopedic surgeons should counsel their patients on the implications of preoperative blood transfusions on post-operative outcomes.
Keywords: Blood transfusions; Knee; Post-operative complications; Revision TKA; Total knee arthroplasty.