Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 19, 2026
Phenotypic Analysis of Rodent Malaria Parasite Asexual and Sexual Blood Stages and Mosquito Stages
Published on: May 30, 2019
Comparison of Mortality and Complications After Total Hip Arthroplasty in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: A
Mehmet Akif Çaçan1, Murat Birinci2, Ömer Serdar Hakyemez1
1İstanbul Medipol University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, İstanbul, Türkiye
Insights
Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) face higher risks of medical complications like pneumonia and venous thromboembolism, alongside increased transfusion needs. Careful preoperative planning and perioperative care are crucial for managing these risks.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Hematology
- Public Health
Background:
- Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a known cause of femoral head osteonecrosis, often necessitating total hip arthroplasty (THA).
- THA in SCD patients is linked to elevated complication rates, yet large-scale studies are scarce due to SCD's rarity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare the 90-day medical and surgical complications, hospital stay, and mortality rates following primary THA in patients with SCD versus those without SCD.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of the national e-health database (e-Nabız) identified 138 SCD patients undergoing primary THA (2016-2022).
- SCD patients were matched with 552 non-SCD controls based on age, sex, and Charlson Comorbidity Index.
- Outcomes including 90-day complications, hospital stay, and mortality were compared between the groups.
Main Results:
- SCD patients exhibited significantly higher rates of venous thromboembolism (p=0.028) and pneumonia (p=0.005).
- The need for blood transfusion was markedly higher in the SCD cohort (p<0.001).
- Overall 90-day medical complication rates were greater in SCD patients (13% vs. 6%; p=0.005), though mortality and mechanical/infectious complications did not differ significantly.
Conclusions:
- Total hip arthroplasty in patients with sickle cell disease is associated with increased risks of venous thromboembolism, pneumonia, and transfusion requirements.
- Multidisciplinary perioperative care and thorough preoperative optimization are vital for mitigating these elevated risks in SCD patients undergoing THA.
Objective:
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a well-recognized cause of osteonecrosis of the femoral head, and total hip arthroplasty (THA) in these patients is associated with higher complication rates. Because SCD is rare in the general population, large-scale studies are limited. This study aimed to evaluate complications and mortality after THA in patients with SCD.
Materials And Methods:
Data from the national e-health database of Türkiye (e-Nabız) were used to identify 138 patients with SCD who underwent primary THA between 2016 and 2022. These patients were matched by age, sex, and Charlson Comorbidity Index score with 552 non-SCD patients. The groups were compared for 90-day medical and surgical complications, hospital stay, and mortality.
Results:
Venous thromboembolism and pneumonia were more frequent in SCD patients (p=0.028 and p=0.005, respectively). The need for blood transfusion was significantly higher in the SCD group (p<0.001). No significant differences were observed in mortality at 7 days or 1, 3, or 12 months (p>0.05 for all). Similarly, there were no differences in 90-day mechanical or infectious complications (p=0.68 and p=0.57). The overall 90-day medical complication rate was higher in the SCD group (13% vs. 6%; p=0.005). The mean duration of hospital stay did not differ between the groups (p=0.35).
Conclusion:
Patients with SCD who underwent THA had higher rates of venous thromboembolism, pneumonia, and increased transfusion requirements. Preoperative optimization and multidisciplinary perioperative care are essential to reduce these complications.