The Efficacy of Bone Wax in Reduction of Perioperative Blood Loss in Total Hip Arthroplasty via Direct Anterior Approach: A Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Perioperative blood management in total hip arthroplasty (THA) has become a prime focus of research. Given the morbidity, delayed recovery, and prolonged hospital stay associated with postoperative anemia, various measures have been proposed to reduce perioperative blood loss (PBL). In this trial, we studied the efficacy of bone wax application on the distal cut surface of the femoral neck in reducing PBL during THA through the direct anterior approach. METHODS: In a randomized controlled clinical trial, 152 patients underwent THA through the direct anterior approach with use of bone wax (n = 75) or without bone wax (control) (n = 77). The study was triple-blinded. The primary outcomes were apparent PBL (blood in sponges and suction canister) and total PBL on postoperative days (PODs) 3 and 5 (as calculated with the Good and Nadler methods). Transfusion and complications were the secondary outcomes. RESULTS: No significant difference was found between the 2 groups in terms of age, sex, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, etiology, preoperative hematologic/coagulation profile, anesthesia, intraoperative mean arterial pressure, or operative time. Apparent PBL, total PBL on POD3, and total PBL, in milliliters, on POD5 were significantly lower in the wax group, with median values of 200 (interquartile range [IQR]: 115 to 310) versus 370 (IQR: 195 to 513.7), 505.2 (IQR: 409.2 to 637.6) versus 747 (IQR: 494.6 to 955.4), and 536.7 (IQR: 430.9 to 689.3) versus 767.8 (IQR: 537.8 to 1,021.9) in the wax and control groups, respectively (p < 0.001). No significant differences in the rates of transfusion and complications were found. CONCLUSIONS: Bone wax on the cut surface of femoral neck can significantly reduce PBL during THA through the direct anterior approach. Bone wax is accessible and inexpensive and can be considered a routine part of the surgical technique in THA through the direct anterior approach. This intervention has no impact on complication or transfusion rates. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level I . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Total Knee Arthroplasty: Does the Tibial Medial Side Defect Affect Outcome?

Primary knee osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the degenerative diseases that destroy auricular cartilage within knee joint and cause pain, varies deformity, decrease knee function. Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is an effective intervention in order to relieve pain, improve function and QOL (quality of life) in patients with severe osteoarthritis of the knees that have different degrees of varus deformity. However, we are not aware of any study to shows if medial side defect in tibia has any association with outcome. We conceive this study of finding out if medial side defect of tibia affects the outcome. 124 patients (143 knees) with primary knee OA with different stages of defects participated in this study. Patients classified into two groups based on Rand classification of knee defects (patients with Rand I and II in group 1 and patients with Rand III and IV in group 2). Pain and knee alignment have been measured by Visual analog scale (VAS) and 3-joint X-ray and quality of life, knee function and radiographic have been measured by questionnaires of SF 36, WOMAC and KSS score. The mean follow-up was 18. 2 mounts (range 12 to 23 months). The results showed that all of the parameters improved significantly within groups (P≤0.001). Comparison TKA between two groups in the postoperative analysis shows that there was a significant difference between groups in pain, radiographic and functional KSS and WOMAC score (P≤0.05). So group 1 had better results in these parameters than group 2 after surgery. TKA is an effective intervention for all patients with severe osteoarthritis and varus deformity. However, the severity of medial tibial defects is an important determinant of outcome. Patients with a more severe deformity have less favorable outcome.

Brown tumor of lumbar spine in chronic renal failure: a case report.

Brown tumors may occur secondary to hyperparathyroidism in patients with chronic renal failure (CKD). They are increasingly rare because hyperparathyroidism in now diagnosed and treated at an early stage. We report 67-year-old man who had been on hemodialysis for CRF for over 3 years, who presented with back pain over the thoracolumbar junction from 2 years ago and because of pain he could not stand or walk in the last 3 months before surgery. Ambulation was regained after surgical decompression and stabilization. In conclusion, when brown tumor arises in the spine, surgery may be needed to preserve neurologic function.