Postoperative Drain Output Research Articles

Tranexamic acid decreases blood loss in total shoulder arthroplasty and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty

Efficacy of tranexamic acid (TXA) remains unproven in the setting of shoulder arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of TXA on perioperative blood loss and drain output in patients undergoing primary total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA). We conducted a retrospective comparison of 77 TSAs and 94 RTSAs performed in 168 patients. TXA was administered intravenously in 35 TSA and 42 RTSA patients. Changes in hemoglobin (Hgb), hematocrit (Hct), drain output, and total blood loss were reviewed with univariate analysis and additional multivariate regression examining the cofactors of age, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists status, and gender of each patient. Use of TXA in TSA led to a significant decrease in total blood loss (679 mL vs. 910 mL; P < .001), change in Hgb (1.8 mg/dL vs. 2.6 mg/dL; P < .001), and drop in Hct (5.2 vs. 7.0; P < .001). Similarly, RTSA also had significantly less total blood loss with the use of TXA (791 mL vs. 959 mL; P < .001), change in Hgb (2.3 mg/dL vs. 2.9 mg/dL; P < .001), and change in Hct (6.4 vs. 8.3; P < .001). TXA also significantly decreased drain output in both TSA (99 mL vs. 235 mL; P < .001) and RTSA (180 mL vs. 370 mL; P < .001). Use of TXA perioperatively among patients undergoing primary shoulder arthroplasty can decrease perioperative blood loss, change in Hgb and Hct, and postoperative drain output.

Commentary: Clinical and Financial Benefits of Intra-Articular Tranexamic Acid in Total Knee Arthroplasty

means to treat end-stage knee arthritis. The annual number of TKAs has been increasing worldwide. Various means have been used to reduce blood loss and the incidence of blood transfusion during TKA.1,2 In TKA patients, the predictors of the need for blood transfusion are preoperative haemoglobin level, intra-operative blood loss, and post-operative drain output.3 The use of tranexamic acid has gained popularity, partly attributable to the advocacy of fast track surgery. In this issue, Goyal et al.4 compared the early clinical outcome in patients who underwent primary TKA with the use of intra-articular TXA. The authors reported a lower transfusion rate and shorter hospital stay in the TXA than control group. The total cost saving with regard to the reduced blood transfusion was AU$144 per patient. Combined with the shortened hospital stay, the total saving was AU$631 Commentary: Clinical and financial benefits of intra-articular tranexamic acid in total knee arthroplasty

Gelatine matrix with human thrombin decreases blood loss in adolescents undergoing posterior spinal fusion for idiopathic scoliosis: a multicentre, randomised clinical trial.

In a multicentre, randomised study of adolescents undergoing posterior spinal fusion for idiopathic scoliosis, we investigated the effect of adding gelatine matrix with human thrombin to the standard surgical methods of controlling blood loss. Patients in the intervention group (n = 30) were randomised to receive a minimum of two and a maximum of four units of gelatine matrix with thrombin in addition to conventional surgical methods of achieving haemostasis. Only conventional surgical methods were used in the control group (n = 30). We measured the intra-operative and total blood loss (intra-operative blood loss plus post-operative drain output). Each additional hour of operating time increased the intra-operative blood loss by 356.9 ml (p < 0.001) and the total blood loss by 430.5 ml (p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the intervention significantly decreased the intra-operative (-171 ml, p = 0.025) and total blood loss (-177 ml, p = 0.027). The decrease in haemoglobin concentration from the day before the operation to the second post-operative day was significantly smaller in the intervention group (-6 g/l, p = 0.013) than in the control group. The addition of gelatine matrix with human thrombin to conventional methods of achieving haemostasis reduces both the intra-operative blood loss and the decrease in haemoglobin concentration post-operatively in adolescents undergoing posterior spinal fusion for idiopathic scoliosis. A randomised clinical trial showed that gelatine matrix with human thrombin decreases intra-operative blood loss by 30% when added to traditional surgical haemostatic methods in adolescents undergoing posterior spinal fusion for idiopathic scoliosis.

Risk factors for post-thyroidectomy haematoma.

There has been increasing emphasis on performing 'same-day' or 'out-patient' thyroidectomy to reduce associated costs. However, acceptance has been limited by the risk of potentially life-threatening post-operative bleeding. This study aimed to review current rates of post-operative bleeding in a metropolitan teaching hospital and identify risk factors. Medical records of patients undergoing thyroidectomy between January 2007 and March 2012 were reviewed retrospectively. Pre-operative, operative and pathological data, and post-operative complication data, were examined. The study comprised 205 thyroidectomy cases. Mean age was 51.6 years (standard deviation = 14.74), with 80 per cent females. Unilateral thyroidectomy was performed in 81 cases (39.5 per cent) and total thyroidectomy was performed in 74 cases (36.1 per cent; 5.3 per cent with concomitant lymph node dissection). Nine patients (4.4 per cent) suffered post-operative bleeding, of which six required re-operation. Analysis showed that post-operative systolic blood pressure of 180 mmHg or greater was associated with post-operative bleeding (p = 0.003, chi-square test). Rates of significant post-operative bleeding are consistent with recent literature. Post-operative hypertension, diabetes and high post-operative drain output were identified as independent risk factors on multivariate analysis; when identified, these may be caveats to same-day discharge of thyroidectomy patients.

Aminocaproic acid administration is associated with reduced perioperative blood loss and transfusion in pediatric craniofacial surgery.

Severe blood loss is a common complication of craniofacial reconstruction surgery. The antifibrinolytic ε-aminocaproic acid (EACA) reduces transfusion requirements in children undergoing cardiac surgery and in older children undergoing spine surgery. Tranexamic acid (TXA), another antifibrinolytic with a similar mechanism of action, has been shown to reduce blood loss and transfusion requirements in children undergoing craniofacial surgery. However, TXA has been associated with an increase in post-operative seizures and is more expensive than EACA. There is currently little published data evaluating the efficacy of EACA in children undergoing craniofacial surgery. This is a retrospective study of prospectively collected data from our craniofacial perioperative registries for children under 6 years of age who underwent anterior or posterior cranial vault reconstruction. We compared calculated blood loss, blood donor exposures, and post-operative drain output between subjects who received EACA and those who did not. The registry queries returned data from 152 subjects. Eighty-six did not receive EACA and 66 received EACA. The EACA group had significantly lower calculated blood loss (82 ± 43 vs. 106 ± 63 ml/kg, P = 0.01), fewer intraoperative blood donor exposures (median 2, interquartile range 1-2 vs. median 2, interquartile range 1-3; P = 0.02) and lower surgical drain output in the first post-operative 24 h (28 ml/kg vs. 37 ml/kg, P = 0.001) than the non-EACA group. In this analysis of prospectively captured observational data, EACA administration was associated with less calculated blood loss, intraoperative blood donor exposures, and post-operative surgical drain output.

Hemostatic Techniques Following Multilevel Posterior Lumbar Spine Surgery

This was a prospective, randomized controlled clinical study. To determine the efficacy of absorbable gelatin sponge in reducing blood loss, as well as shortening the length of hospital stay in patients undergoing multilevel posterior lumbar spinal surgery. Absorbable gelatin sponge is reported to decrease postoperative drain output and the length of hospital stay after multilevel posterior cervical spine surgery. However, there is a dearth of literature on prospective study of the efficacy of absorbable gelatin sponge in reducing postoperative blood loss, as well as shortening the length of hospital stay in patients undergoing multilevel posterior lumbar spinal surgery. A total of 82 consecutive patients who underwent multilevel posterior lumbar fusion or posterior lumbar interbody fusion between June 2011 and June 2012 were prospectively randomized into one of the 2 groups according to whether absorbable gelatin sponge for postoperative blood management was used or not. Demographic distribution, total drain output, blood transfusion rate, the length of stay, the number of readmissions, and postoperative complications were analyzed. Total drain output averaged 173 mL in the study group and 392 mL in the control group (P=0.000). Perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion rate were lower in the Gelfoam group (34.1% vs. 58.5%, P=0.046); moreover, length of stay in patients with the use of absorbable gelatin sponge (12.58 d) was significantly shorter (P=0.009) than the patients in the control group (14.46 d). No patient developed adverse reactions attributable to the absorbable gelatin sponge. Application of absorbable gelatin sponge at the end of multilevel posterior lumbar fusion can significantly decrease postoperative drain output and length of hospital stay.

A Double‐Blind, Randomized, Placebo‐Controlled Clinical Trial Evaluating Fibrin Sealant in Thyroidectomy Closure

Objectives:Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of Evicel fibrin sealant when used in thyroid surgery closure, taking into account the following endpoints: postoperative drain output, time to drain removal, length of admission, and adverse events.Methods:From June 2010 to January 2014, an institutional review board–approved prospective, randomized, double‐blind study of Evicel versus a saline control was conducted on 70 subjects receiving total thyroidectomy or hemithyroidectomy. Twenty‐eight received Evicel and 27 received saline; data from 15 subjects were eliminated due to protocol violations. The mean age was 50.3 (range, 21 to 73).Results:Comparisons of baseline characteristics, including age, sex, and type of surgery, revealed successful subject randomization. There was no significant difference in drain output between Evicel (median [interquartile range]: 96.3 mL [73.3‐139.3 mL]) and placebo (120.0 mL [68.8‐161.5 mL], P =. 334). Drain time (37.9 hours [25.2‐48.7 hours] vs 43.6 hours [37.6‐58.1 hours]) and hospital stay (45.5 hours [33.4‐53.8 hours] vs 50.9 hours [44.1‐69.4 hours]) were also shorter for Evicel, but again these differences were not significant (P =. 101 and. 526, respectively). For the subjects undergoing total thyroidectomy, there was a significant reduction in drain output (103.5 mL [80.0‐138.6 mL] vs 150.0 mL [120.0‐188.5 mL], P =. 035) and drain time (40.3 hours [26.2‐49.1 hours] vs 47.1 hours [42.0‐67.8 hours], P =. 035) with Evicel. Hospital stay in this subgroup was shorter with Evicel (50.3 hours [43.6‐54.9 hours] vs 59.4 hours [48.4‐70.6 hours]), but this result was not significant (P =. 246). No outcomes were significant in the hemithryoidectomy subgroup. Nine adverse events occurred in the Evicel group compared to 3 for placebo (P =. 101).Conclusions:Evicel sealant appears to be a safe, effective method to reduce serous drain output following total thyroidectomy but has a limited role in hemithyroidectomy due to low levels of baseline drain output.

Symptomatic epidural hematoma after lumbar decompression surgery

Postoperative symptomatic epidural hematoma (SEH) is a serious complication of lumbar spine surgery. Despite its rarity, this uncommon complication may result in devastating neurological sequelae, including lower limb weakness. A retrospective study was made to identify possible risk factors of postoperative spinal epidural hematoma by reviewing the clinical cases of this rare complication and analyzing the postoperative evaluations of patients. From 2002 to 2010, out of 15,562 who underwent lumbar decompression procedure with/without instrumentation, 25 patients required reoperation for epidural hematoma after the initial spinal surgery. For the control group, another 75 patients were randomly selected from the pool of patients who received lumbar decompression surgery during the same period of time. The medical records of preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative factors were collected to determine possible risk factors by comparing between the cases and controls, and the postoperative evaluations of muscle power, intractable pain, saddle anesthesia, time to detection and time to evacuation were analyzed to find if there is any significant relation within the case group. Mann-Whitney U test, two-sample t test, χ (2) test and Fisher's exact test were used for statistical analysis. The incidence of postoperative symptomatic epidural hematoma is 0.16%. After the initial procedure, 20 (80%) patients developed progressive decrease in muscle power (MP ≤ 3), 14 (56%) patients had intractable pain (VAS ≥ 7), and 19 (76%) patients had saddle anesthesia. Preoperative diastolic blood pressure, intraoperative use of gelfoam for dura coverage and postoperative drain output were statistically significant risk factors (p < 0.01). Within the SEH case group, postoperative symptom of decreased muscle power had significant relation with blood loss, laminectomy level and fusion level (p = 0.016, 0.021, 0.010). If the symptom of decreased muscle power or perianal anesthesia was not improved after hematoma evacuation, there was a tendency for permanent leg weakness after 1-year follow-up (p = 0.001, 0.003). The findings suggest that preoperative diastolic blood pressure, intraoperative use of gelfoam for dura coverage and postoperative drain output are risk factors for symptomatic epidural hematoma after lumbar decompression surgery. Major blood loss and multilevel surgical procedure could result in poor recovery of muscle power. After spine decompression surgery, early detection and evacuation of hematoma are the key to avoid neurologic deterioration and have better clinical outcomes.

Harmonic Scalpel Assisted Superficial Parotidectomy

The Harmonic Scalpel (HS) has been recently widely used to perform a variety of surgical procedures. We reviewed our experience with the use of HS in superficial parotidectomy to determine the safety and efficacy of this procedure, with regard to operative time, postoperative facial nerve function, and drainage output. Nonrandomized retrospective review. The medical records of all patients who underwent superficial parotidectomy for benign pathology at Shaare Zedek Medical Center from January 2006 to July 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with prior facial nerve weakness or prior parotid surgery or who had undergone concurrent neck dissection or total parotidectomy were excluded. Fifty-eight patients were reviewed; 26 patients underwent HS parotidectomy and 32 patients underwent conventional (cold knife) parotidectomy (control group). Harmonic Scalpel assisted parotidectomy was associated with significantly decreased length of surgery from 163.12 ± 21.8 minutes for controls to 137.3 ± 18.6 minutes in the HS assisted group (P < .05). The incidence of temporary postoperative facial nerve paresis was significantly reduced from 43% in the controls to 23% in the HS group (P < .05). No permanent facial nerve paralysis was reported. There were differences in the overall postoperative drain output between the HS and control groups, 68 ± 22.3 mL and 73.5 ± 38.2 mL, respectively, but these differences did not achieve significance. This study shows that HS assisted superficial parotidectomy for benign pathology is a safe technique and associated with reduced surgical time and incidence of temporary postoperative facial nerve paresis compared with conventional techniques.

Intraarticular Fibrinogen Does Not Reduce Blood Loss in TKA: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Bleeding remains an ongoing concern after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Intraarticular application of human fibrinogen with a topical thrombin has been described to stop diffuse bleeding in knee arthroplasty. It was hypothesized that the use of human fibrinogen as a topical agent would result in a reduction of bleeding and transfusions required after TKA; secondary end points included comparison of early clinical results including pain scores and range of motion (ROM) at 6 weeks and complications after surgery. Two hundred patients undergoing TKA were randomized into a double-blind clinical trial to receive either intraarticular fibrinogen 2 minutes before tourniquet release or no such treatment. Postoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, drain output, and transfusion requirements were recorded and blood loss was calculated. Clinical outcomes and adverse events were tracked prospectively. Descriptive analysis was performed using a two-sample t-test. There were no differences in calculated blood loss between the fibrinogen and the control groups; the mean postoperative drain output was 780 ± 378 mL in the fibrinogen group compared with 673 ± 301 mL in the control group (p = 0.029), but the hemoglobin drop at Day 2 was 3.47 ± 1.53 g/L in the fibrinogen group and 3.84 ± 1.24 g/Ll in the control group (p = 0.051). There were no differences in in transfusions, early ROM, visual analog pain scores, or complications between the groups. The use of fibrinogen in TKA did not lead to a significant reduction of blood loss or transfusions in primary TKA for osteoarthritis. Given the lack of benefits and the costs this procedure adds to TKA, its routine use cannot be justified during primary TKA for osteoarthritis.

Biliary fistula after treatment for hydatid disease of the liver: When to intervene

To determine the outcome of patients with biliary fistula (BF) after treatment for hydatid disease of the liver. Between January 2000 and December 2010, out of 301 patients with a diagnosis of hydatid cyst of the liver, 282 patients who underwent treatment [either surgery or puncture, aspiration, injection and reaspiration (PAIR) procedure] were analysed. Patients were grouped according to the presence or absence of postoperative biliary fistula (PBF) (PBF vs no-PBF groups, respectively). Preoperative clinical, radiological and laboratory characteristics, operative characteristics including type of surgery, peroperative detection of BF, postoperative drain output, morbidity, mortality and length of hospital stays of patients were compared amongst groups. Multivariate analysis was performed to detect factors predictive of PBF. Receiver operative characteristics (ROC) curve analysis were used to determine ideal cutoff values for those variables found to be significant. A comparison was also made between patients whose fistula closed spontaneously (CS) and those with intervention in order to find predictive factors associated with spontaneous closure. Among 282 patients [median (range) age, 23 (16-78) years; 77.0% male]; 210 (74.5%) were treated with conservative surgery, 33 (11.7%) radical surgery and 39 (13.8%) underwent percutaneous drainage with PAIR procedure A PBF developed in 46 (16.3%) patients, all within 5 d after operation. The maximum cyst diameter and preoperative alkaline phosphatase levels (U/L) were significantly higher in the PBF group than in the no-PBF group [10.5 ± 3.7 U/L vs 8.4 ± 3.5 U/L (P < 0.001) and 40.0 ± 235.1 U/L vs 190.0 ± 167.3 U/L (P = 0.02), respectively]. Hospitalization time was also significantly longer in the PBF group than in the no-PBF group [37.4 ± 18.0 d vs 22.4 ± 17.9 d (P < 0.001)]. A preoperative high alanine aminotransferase level (> 40 U/L) and a peroperative attempt for fistula closure were significant predictors of PBF development (P = 0.02, 95%CI: -0.03-0.5 and P = 0.001, 95%CI: 0.1-0.4), respectively. Comparison of patients whose PBF CS or with biliary intervention (BI) revealed that the mean diameter of the cyst was not significantly different between CS and BI groups however maximum drain output was significantly higher in the BI group (81.6 ± 118.1 cm vs 423.9 ± 298.4 cm, P < 0.001). Time for fistula closure was significantly higher in the BI group (10.1 ± 3.7 d vs 30.7 ± 15.1 d, P < 0.001). The ROC curve analysis revealed cut-off values of a maximum bilious drainage < 102 mL and a waiting period of 5.5 postoperative days for spontaneous closure with the sensitivity and specificity values of (83.3%-91.1%, AUC: 0.90) and (97%-91%, AUC: 0.95), respectively. The multivariate analysis demonstrated a PBF drainage volume < 102 mL to be the only statistically significant predictor of spontaneous closure (P < 0.001, 95%CI: 0.5-1.0). Patients with PBF after hydatid surgery often have complicated postoperative course with serious morbidity. Patients who develop PBF with an output < 102 mL might be managed expectantly.

Hemostatic Techniques Reduce Hospital Stay Following Multilevel Posterior Cervical Spine Surgery

Despite meticulous hemostasis, persistent postoperative drain output following posterior cervical spine procedures often necessitates a prolonged length of hospital stay. We sought to determine if thrombin-soaked absorbable gelatin compressed sponge can decrease postoperative drain output and the length of hospital stay after multilevel posterior cervical spine surgery. We performed a retrospective analysis of forty-three pairs of patients who had undergone either posterior cervical decompression and/or fusion of three or more levels by the same surgeon. The patients were matched according to intraoperative blood loss, age, sex, and number of involved levels. Control patients were managed between 2004 and 2007, whereas study patients were managed between 2008 and 2011. The only variable between the study and control groups was that, in the study group, absorbable gelatin compressed sponge was soaked in thrombin and applied over the exposed spine before wound closure. A subfascial drain was used in all patients. Total drain output, time for the drainage to decrease to <30 mL per eight-hour shift (at which point the drain was discontinued), the length of stay, the number of readmissions, and postoperative complications were analyzed. Total drain output averaged 93 mL in the study group and 204 mL in the control group (p < 0.0001). The average time for the drainage to decrease to <30 mL per eight-hour shift was 2.5 shifts in the study group and 4.4 shifts in the control group (p < 0.0001). Length of stay averaged 1.3 days (cumulative total, fifty-seven days) in the study group and 2.2 days (cumulative total, ninety-five days) in the control group (p < 0.0001). Persistent drain output was the primary reason preventing discharge on the first postoperative day. There were no infections, epidural hematomas, or readmissions within thirty days of discharge in either group. No patient developed adverse reactions attributable to the thrombin-soaked absorbable gelatin compressed sponge. Application of thrombin-soaked absorbable gelatin compressed sponge at the end of multilevel posterior cervical spinal surgery significantly decreased postoperative drain output and consequent hospital stay. Therapeutic Level III.

Unipolar vs Bipolar Hemostasis in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Prospective Randomized Trial

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether unipolar or bipolar hemostasis is more effective in reducing blood loss associated with primary total knee arthroplasty. We randomized 113 consecutive patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty into unipolar and bipolar hemostasis treatment groups. The mean postoperative drain output in the unipolar group was 776.5 mL compared with 778.7 mL and was not statistically significant (P = .97). There were no statistically significant differences in postoperative day 1 through 3 hemoglobin level (P = .2-.6) or hematocrit (P = .17-.46) values. The transfusion requirement in the unipolar group was 36% and 40% in the bipolar group (P = .67). Use of bipolar sealer compared with standard unipolar electrocauterization showed no significant difference in postoperative drain output, postoperative hemoglobin level and hematocrit values, or transfusion requirements.

Are Anti-Fibrinolytics Effective at Reducing Peri-Operative Blood Loss in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis?

Anti-fibrinolytics have been proven effective in reducing intra-operative blood loss in several settings. However, their value in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) remains unclear. No previous study has compared tranexamic acid (TXA), epsilon aminocaproic acid (EACA), and placebo in regards to their ability to limit operative blood loss, post-operative drain output, and transfusion rate.

The Utility of the Harmonic Scalpel in Selective Neck Dissection

To determine the impact of the harmonic scalpel on intraoperative blood loss and operative time in selective neck dissection (SND) (levels I-IV) for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Prospective randomized controlled trial. A single, tertiary care institution (Foothills Medical Centre) in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. A total of 31 patients (36 neck dissections) were prospectively enrolled between January 2009 and March 2010. Patients were randomized to receive a neck dissection with either the harmonic scalpel or the traditional technique of using electrocautery and sharp dissection. The study included adult patients older than age 18 years diagnosed with HNSCC and who required an SND (levels I-IV). Study exclusion criteria included previous treatment for head and neck cancer and all patients unwilling or unable to provide informed consent. Primary clinical outcomes were intraoperative blood loss and operative time. Secondary outcomes included intraoperative complications and surgical drain output. Intraoperative blood loss was significantly lower in the harmonic scalpel group compared to the traditional group (158 vs 61 mL, P = .02). There was no difference in operative time (81 minutes harmonic vs 85 minutes traditional) or total drain output (at both 48 hours and 1 week) between the groups. There were no intraoperative complications reported in either group. Results from this study suggest that the harmonic scalpel can reduce blood loss during SND for HNSCC. The harmonic scalpel had no impact on operative time, postoperative drain output, or complication rate.

Prospective randomized comparison of clinical results between hand-assisted laparoscopic and open splenectomies

Although some studies have compared laparoscopic and hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy (HALS) in splenomegaly cases, no study has analyzed the differences between HALS and open splenectomy (OS). This study aimed to compare the HALS and OS techniques in splenomegaly cases. This prospective study included 27 patients undergoing splenectomy for splenic disorders at the Department of General Surgery, Istanbul Medical Faculty between February and October 2007. Open splenectomy was performed for 14 patients and HALS for the remaining 13 patients. The end points compared included incision length, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drain output and duration, postoperative pain scores, length of postoperative hospitalization, and perioperative complications. The authors found benefits of HALS over OS for incision length, postoperative pain score, postoperative drain output and duration, and hospital stay. The main advantages of the HALS technique over OS were less postoperative pain (p = 0.0002), shorter hospital stay (p = 0.004), and shorter abdominal incision (p = 0.012). For splenomegaly, HALS significantly facilitates the surgical procedure and reduces the hospital stay while maintaining the advantages of OS such as tactile sense as well as easy and atraumatic manipulation of enlarged spleens.

Value of a single preoperative PFA-100® measurement in assessing the risk of bleeding in patients taking cyclooxygenase inhibitors and undergoing total knee replacement

The usefulness of the PFA-100 in assessing the risk of bleeding in non-cardiac surgery is not clear. This study aims to examine this by correlating preoperative PFA-100 measurement with perioperative bleeding in patients receiving cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors. PFA-100 with adenosine-5'-diphosphate (ADPCT) and epinephrine (EPICT) cartridges were measured before operation in consecutive patients undergoing elective total knee replacement and taking different COX inhibitors. Surgery and anaesthesia were performed by the same team using standardized techniques. Intraoperative blood loss and postoperative drain output were recorded by anaesthetists and nurses blinded to the PFA-100 measurements. Surgeons, similarly blinded, were asked to rate the quality of haemostasis. Correlation was sought between these data and PFA-100 measurements. Thirty patients were studied, involving 51 knees. Preoperative PFA-100 EPICT was correlated with drain output (r=0.30, P=0.03). The correlation becomes stronger when a 20% in vitro haemodiluted sample was used for measurement (r=0.42, P=0.01). Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis using the diluted measurements [area under curve (AUC) 0.74 (95% CI 0.54-0.94)] suggested using a cut-off value of 188 s for EPICT, which will predict excessive drain output with 89% sensitivity, 54% specificity, and a likelihood ratio of 1.93. Diluted EPICT was also correlated with surgeon rating of haemostasis (r=0.36, P=0.04) although none of the measurements correlated with intraoperative blood loss. Preoperative PFA-100 prolongation is correlated with increased postoperative drain output. It can be a potentially useful preoperative measurement in patients taking COX inhibitors.

Reduced Blood Loss After Total Knee Arthroplasty with Local Injection of Bupivacaine and Epinephrine

Our goal was to determine by direct measurement of drain output whether intraoperative injection of bupivacaine with epinephrine significantly reduces postoperative blood loss in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The study and control groups were primary TKAs performed by 1 surgeon using a single-cemented TKA design and a consistent postoperative protocol. The study group comprised 37 sequential TKAs injected intraoperatively with bupivacaine and epinephrine (one-third pericapsular, two-thirds peri-incisional). The control group included 71 sequential TKAs. The study group had 32% (95% confidence interval, 11%-48%), or 195 mL, less drain output (P = .006). There were no statistically significant differences in the transfusion rate or bleeding indices. Control and study groups were comparable regarding tourniquet times, intraoperative soft-tissue releases, preoperative anticoagulant use, and overall postoperative complications. Our study demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in TKA postoperative drain output with intraoperative injection of bupivacaine with epinephrine.

S186 – Necessity of Drain Placement for Thyroplasty

Objectives Review the complication rate and drain output characteristics during the immediate postoperative period for open thyroplasty via anterior neck approach with drain placement. Methods A retrospective cohort review of patients requiring open thyroplasty at 2 academic medical centers in the Midwestern United States between 1/1/1997 and 6/30/2007. Charts of patients receiving a thyroplasty were selected by CPT code and reviewed for rates of postoperative hemorrhage, hematoma formation, seroma formation, and upper airway compromise. Drain output quantities were examined, where available. Results Charts of 107 patients and 112 total procedures were reviewed. 18 procedures were excluded from this series due to simultaneous performance of other procedures. One (1/94) patient developed postoperative hematoma with upper airway obstruction. Hematoma evacuation was performed and the patient was subsequently discharged in stable condition. Average patient age was 59.3 years. Postoperative drain output was recorded as “minimal” in 58/94 (62%) of cases. Average drain output was 17.7 mL for those which were recorded. Hospital stay was less than 24-hours for 89/94 (95%) of cases. Conclusions In this series, patients having undergone open thyroplasty have had little to no drain output prior to the discontinuation of the drain. This, as well as the low rate of overall complication associated with this procedure, would support the opinion that such drains may be unnecessary in these cases.

Free Abdominal Fat Transfer for Reconstruction of the Total Parotidectomy Defect

Free abdominal fat transfer (FAT) grafts have been used after superficial parotidectomy to restore facial contour. We reviewed our experience with the use of FAT reconstruction of total parotidectomy defects to determine the safety and efficacy of this procedure. Non-randomized retrospective analysis. The medical records of all patients who underwent total parotidectomy with the harmonic scalpel at the Medical College of Georgia from September 2004 to June 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with a prior bleeding disorder, facial nerve weakness, or who had undergone concurrent neck dissection were excluded. Twenty-two patients met the study criteria; nine patients underwent FAT reconstruction. There was a greater percentage of malignancy in the FAT group (44%) compared with controls (15%), and a larger tumor size in the FAT group (3.8 +/- 2.1 cm) compared with controls (2.6 +/- 1.2 cm), but these differences did not achieve significance. FAT reconstruction was associated with increased length of surgery (324.6 +/- 86.9 minutes vs. 206.6 +/- 61.8 minutes for controls, P = .0013) and intraoperative blood loss (138.9 +/- 95.3 mL vs. 50.1 +/- 30.9 mL, P = .0052). There were no significant differences between FAT and control groups with respect to postoperative drain output (42.0 +/- 35.0 mL vs. 52.5 +/- 41.3, P > .05), duration of drainage (32.0 +/- 12.0 h vs. 34.8 +/- 15.1 h, P > .05), or facial nerve function. All patients who underwent FAT reconstruction were satisfied with their postoperative appearance, compared to 70% of control patients who reported some degree of dissatisfaction postoperatively. FAT reconstruction of the total parotidectomy defect is associated with greater blood loss from the FAT donor site and increased surgical time, but is safe and highly effective. These data suggest that the benefits of FAT reconstruction outweigh the additional increment in operative time and blood loss observed.