Abstract

A study was conducted to compare blood loss, need for blood transfusion and complications
in drainage and non-drainage groups in primary total hip arthroplasty. Forty patients
undergoing total hip arthroplasty were randomly allocated into twenty patients in each of
drainage and non-drainage groups. All the operations were performed by one speciality
surgical team with same pre-intra operative and post-operative protocol. Haemoglobin,
volume of blood transfusion, superficial and deep infection and Harris hip score wer
eassesed. Blood loss (mean) in the drainage and non-drainage groups were 220.1 ml and
234.7 ml respectively. Hb levels were more in the non-drainage group on 1st, 3rd and 7th day,
but on day 7, they were not statistically significant. 10% of cases in non-drainage group
developed infection in which 5% are superficial and the other 5% are deep infections, 10% of
cases developed superficial infection in the drainage group. The incidence of superficial
infection was higher in non-drainage group, however there was no significant difference in
the length of the hospital stay. 3 (15%) patients needed blood transfusion in the drainage
group and 2 (10%) patients needed blood transfusion in the non-drainage group, mean
volumes were 1.6 units in drainage group and 1.5 units in non-drainage group respectively
and it’s not statistically significant.