Effect of patellar resurfacing surgery on bleeding in total knee arthroplasty

Postoperative bleeding is one of the most important factors affecting clinical and functional results in total knee arthroplasty. Therefore, many studies have been conducted on bleeding in arthroplasty patients. However, there are very few reports investigating the effect of patellar surface replacement on bleeding in knee arthroplasty. We, therefore, aimed to investigate the effect of patellar surface replacement on postoperative bleeding.

In this retrospective study, 30 with patellar resurfacing were compared with 39 without patellar resurfacing among patients who had undergone total knee replacement due to primary osteoarthritis. Demographic data, amount of transfusion, preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit values, and total, visible, and hidden blood loss values were recorded.

No statistical difference was found between the two groups in terms of demographic values. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of the amount of blood in the drain, total blood loss, hidden blood loss, and blood transfusion in patients who had and had not undergone patellar resurfacing. A positive significant correlation was found between postoperative drainage volume and total blood loss.

Patellar component application in patients who had undergone total knee arthroplasty does not change the blood loss of the patients.