Revision total hip arthroplasty in Jehovah's Witnesses

Orthopedics. 2012 Aug 1;35(8):e1145-51. doi: 10.3928/01477447-20120725-11.

Abstract

Revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) is associated with greater blood loss than primary THA. Jehovah's Witnesses will not accept transfusions of blood or blood products and are thus at an increased risk for complications due to perioperative anemia. The purpose of this study was to report the clinical outcomes, radiographic outcomes, morbidity, and mortality of Jehovah's Witnesses who were medically optimized and underwent revision THA. Databases from 2 institutions were reviewed to identify 10 patients (11 THAs) who were Jehovah's Witnesses undergoing revision THA with a minimum 24-month follow-up. At most recent follow-up, all patients were doing well clinically, with Harris Hip Scores greater than 80 points. Radiographic evaluation demonstrated well-positioned components and no progressive radioluciencies. No major perioperative medical or surgical complications occurred in patients undergoing THA. Revision THA for aseptic causes results in good clinical outcomes in patients who are preoperatively optimized before undergoing surgery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anemia / etiology
  • Anemia / therapy*
  • Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / adverse effects*
  • Blood Transfusion
  • Erythropoietin / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Hemorrhage / therapy*
  • Hip Joint
  • Humans
  • Jehovah's Witnesses*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Osteolysis / therapy*
  • Prosthesis Failure
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / therapy*
  • Reoperation

Substances

  • Erythropoietin