RESEARCH - Staged bilateral hip or knee arthroplasties

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Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery 2007;15(2):159-62

Staged bilateral hip or knee arthroplasties

FR Hashmi, K Barlas, CF Mann, FR Howell

Department of Orthopaedics, Princess of Wales Hospital, Scartho

Road, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, United

Kingdom

ABSTRACT

Purpose. To compare the operating time, amount

of blood transfused, length of hospital stay, and

early complications (within 6 months) between 2-

week staged bilateral arthroplasties and matched

randomised controls undergoing unilateral

arthroplasties.

Methods. From October 1992 to October 2000,

90 patients who underwent bilateral hip or knee

arthroplasties with a 2-week interval were compared

with matched randomised controls undergoing

unilateral arthroplasties. A single surgeon performed

all procedures.

Results. After the match-up process, 30 pairs of

patients were included in the analysis. There were no

significant differences in the operating times, amount

of blood transfused, and early complication rates.

The mean difference in length of hospital stay was

significant (t= –3.552, df=29, p<0.001).

Conclusion. Compared to staged procedures with an

interval months apart, staged sequential arthroplasty

with a 7- to 10-day interval during one hospital

admission is more efficient, as it facilitates earlier

rehabilitation without higher complication rates, and

entails shorter hospital stays.

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Read the entire article here:

http://www.josonline.org/pdf/v15i2p159.pdf

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