Blood loss and allogeneic transfusion for surgical treatment of periprosthetic joint infection: a comparison of one- vs. two-stage exchange total hip arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the current study was to compare the blood loss and the need for allogeneic transfusion after one- and two-stage exchange arthroplasty for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) of THA.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of all patients undergoing either one-stage or two-stage septic exchange arthroplasty at two high-volume infection referral centres. The study cohort consists of 90 patients undergoing the two-stage and 184 patients the one-stage exchange arthroplasty. The difference between pre- and post-operative haemoglobin (Hb) and total blood loss as well as the allogeneic transfusion rate were compared between both groups.

RESULTS

Both procedures together of the two-stage septic exchange arthroplasty had higher intra-operative blood loss and allogeneic blood transfusion rate compared to the one-stage septic exchange arthroplasty group. However, among the patients of the two-stage group, there were more smokers and had worse physical status (ASA) and higher mortality risk (CCI) than patients in the one-stage group.

CONCLUSIONS

Two-stage septic revision of total hip arthroplasty has higher rates of blood loss and transfusion rates than one-stage revision. Therefore, the authors believe that blood loss rate, including its complications, should be considered when decision for the type of staged septic exchange is made.