Bone wax following proximal femoral osteotomy in total hip replacement.

Abstract

Any means of reducing blood loss during total hip replacement is beneficial. Following femoral neck osteotomy, the cut femoral end is usually left. This is a potential source of significant low pressure ooze, which can account for a sizeable proportion of intraoperative blood loss and may also obscure the surgical field. Cheap and easily available bone wax, first described in 1892, can be smeared across the cut trabecular surface following femoral osteotomy (Fig 1). The wax is later removed on broaching the femur. This simple and cost effective method can limit bone bleeding intraoperatively and can help maintain a clear surgical field. Figure 1 Bone wax applied to femoral osteotomy demonstrating complete haemostasis from cut surface