Reduced bleeding through temporary balloon occlusion in hip and knee revision surgery

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Interventional Radiology
• Orthopedic Surgery

Background:

• Major hip and knee surgeries carry a high risk of significant blood loss.
• Minimizing intraoperative bleeding is crucial for patient outcomes and surgical efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of temporary balloon occlusion of the iliac or femoral artery in reducing blood loss during major hip or knee operations.
• To assess the impact of this technique on surgical field bleeding and overall perioperative blood loss.

Main Methods:

• Temporary balloon occlusion of the iliac or femoral artery was performed in 13 patients undergoing major hip or knee surgery.
• A latex occlusion balloon was inserted via a transfemoral route by an interventional radiologist.
• Balloons were inflated for 1-6 hours, and patients received low molecular weight heparin prophylaxis.

Main Results:

• Balloon occlusion effectively reduced bleeding in the surgical field and facilitated the surgical procedure in all cases.
• Perioperative bleeding was reduced by approximately 50% compared to a retrospective control group.
• Distal intraarterial blood pressure decreased significantly after balloon inflation.

Conclusions:

• Temporary balloon occlusion of the iliac or femoral artery is an effective method for reducing blood loss in major hip and knee surgeries.
• The technique facilitates surgical procedures and leads to substantial reductions in perioperative bleeding.
• While generally safe, potential complications such as bleeding and localized ischemia require careful management.