[Evaluation and treatment of hemorrhage after hip and knee arthroplasty in the aged].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the evaluation and treatment of blood loss during total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in the aged .

METHODS: We retrospectively surveyed the blood loss and the rehabilitation of 46 cases of TKA and 146 cases of THA older than 60.

RESULTS: In the group younger than 70, the mean total blood loss of THA was 1425 mL and the hidden hemorrhage 729 mL (51%); following the TKA, the mean total loss was 1386 mL and the hidden hemorrhage was 890 mL (64%). In the group 70 and older, the mean total blood loss of THA was 1435 mL and the hidden hemorrhage was 769 mL (53%)û following the TKA, the mean total loss was 1380 mL and the hidden hemorrhage was 910 mL (65%). The difference of hidden hemorrhage between the THA and the TKA was both significant by different (p< 0.05). Age played an important part in the THA group (p< 0.05), but not in the TKA group (> 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The aged have poor resistance to blood loss. Hidden hemorrhage in the TKA or THA perhaps is the primary part of the blood loss. Prompt treatment is helpful for the rehabilitation.