Simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty in hemophilia: is it recommended?

Simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a potentially cost-saving manner of caring for patients with hemophilia who have bilateral symptomatic hemophilic knee arthropathy. Because factor VIII is used only once in bilateral TKA, it is performed in hemophilia to reduce costs. Areas covered: This article reviews the potential role of simultaneous bilateral TKA in patients with hemophilia. Expert commentary: Although two recent reports have mentioned the benefits of simultaneous bilateral TKA in patients with hemophilia, the data are still scant and preliminary. The two systematic reviews and the meta-analyses on bilateral TKA in patients without hemophilia have shown that there are more complications with bilateral TKA than with unilateral TKA. This article calls the potential risks of this technique to the attention of hemophilia specialists. The current use of simultaneous bilateral TKA in patients with hemophilia is unadvised, and raising false expectations in these patients should be avoided. Prospective studies in the specific field of TKA in patients with hemophilia are needed.