THE EFFECT OF SURGEON VOLUME ON THE NEED FOR TRANSFUSION FOLLOWING PRIMARY UNILATERAL TOTAL HIP AND KNEE ARTHROPLASTY

Introduction: The recent UK national comparative audit of the use of blood in primary, elective, unilateral THR found that 25% of patients required a peri-operative transfusion. We felt this figure was higher than should be expected, especially of surgeons with a dedicated arthroplasty subspecialty. We therefore audited our own practice with particular emphasis on the relationship between surgeon volume, implant and the need for transfusion. Methods: A retrospective review of 508 consecutive primary, elective, unilateral hip and knee arthroplasties performed over a 12 month period. Pre- and post- operative haemoglobin levels, need for transfusion, and the timing and volume of any transfusion were recorded for each patient. Analysis determined the overall rate of transfusion, the details of any such transfusion, and the effects of surgeon volume upon the transfusion rate. Results: The transfusion rate following THR (10%) was significantly lower than those found in the national audit. The transfusion rate following TKR was 7%. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that surgeon volume ( 50 THRs/yr) and a preop-erative Hb < 12g/dl were the only significant determinants of a need for post operative transfusion (Both p< 0.05) following both THR and TKR. Other variables (age, gender, anaesthetic type, ASA, indication, surgeon grade and experience, implant, approach) were not significant. A preoperative haemoglobin of < 12g/dl was associated with a 6 fold and 3 fold increased risk of needing a transfusion following hip and knee replacement respectively. Discussion: The need for allogenic blood transfusion following primary arthroplasty is influenced by both patient and surgeon related factors. Surgeons who have a dedicated arthroplasty practice and perform a high volume of procedures have significantly lower transfusion rates when compared to nationally accepted figures. This has implications for both patient care and resource management.