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Total hip replacement surgery does not influence RBC survival
C E van Iperen1, A van de Wiel, M de Bruin
1Department of Internal Medicine, Eemland Hospital, Amersfoort, the Netherlands. iperen@hemh.azr.nl
Background:
RBC survival may be affected by mechanical or oxidative stress as well as the inflammatory effect of surgery, and thus may contribute to postoperative anemia.
Study Design And Methods:
RBC survival was studied in otherwise healthy patients who underwent total hip replacement (THR). RBCs of five patients scheduled for elective THR surgery were labeled with (51)Cr 2 weeks before the surgical procedure. The disappearance of (51)Cr-labeled RBCs was calculated for the preoperative period and for the period from postoperative Day 4 on, when blood loss had ceased.
Results:
The half-life of (51)Cr-labeled RBCs did not change if estimated before (29.0 +/- 4.4 days) and after (27.4 +/- 3.6 days, p = 0.55) surgery. This indicates that the lifespan of RBCs is not influenced by the surgical procedure.
Conclusion:
A decrease in RBC survival does not contribute to the pathogenesis of the anemia found after THR surgery.