Randomized blinded study comparing a bipolar sealer and standard electrocautery in reducing transfusion requirements in anterior supine intermuscular total hip arthroplasty.

Managing blood loss in total hip arthroplasty (THA) minimizes complications and decreases cost. Tissue-sparing anterior supine intermuscular THA (ASI-THA) may offer a quicker recovery but increases blood loss and transfusion requirements. This double-blinded prospective study compared a bipolar sealer (Aquamantys 6.0 bipolar sealer) to standard monopolar electrocautery in reducing blood loss in ASI-THA. Differences in calculated actual blood loss (ABL), hemoglobin, and transfusion requirements were examined. One hundred hips were randomized to each group. Transfusion rates were similar, 6% and 4%, respectively (p>0.05). ABL and change in hemoglobin were identical (1.35 and 3.3g). No significant differences in transfusion, blood loss, or hemoglobin were seen with a bipolar sealer device. Routine use of this bipolar sealer device has been discontinued in ASI-THA.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes