Perioperative comparison of blood loss and complications between simultaneous bilateral and unilateral total knee arthroplasty for knee osteoarthritis

Abstract Objective This study aimed to compare the blood loss and complications between simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty (SBTKA) and unilateral total knee arthroplasty (UTKA). Methods This study included 54 SBTKAs and 70 UTKAs performed between 2013 and 2014. Groups were compared with respect to blood loss, hemoglobin, hematocrit, D-dimer, blood transfusion, and complications. Results Hemoglobin between the groups was not significantly different ( P  > 0.05). In the SBTKA group, the hematocrit on the 3rd postoperative day was lower ( P P P P P  > 0.05). Also, the mean allogeneic RBC transfusion requirement was higher in the SBTKA group than in the UTKA group ( P Conclusion This study demonstrates that the rate of complication between SBTKA and UTKA is similar. The total drainage and transfusion of SBTKA are not twice that of UTKA, and after treatment, hemoglobin could be increased to a similar level. Thus, SBTKA is an effective and safe option.