BACKGROUND: During total hip arthroplasty (THA) drainage is used by most surgeons. However, the optimal drainage strategy remains controversial. The aim of this prospective cohort study was to determine the safety and efficacy of a four-hour drainage clamping technique in patients undergoing THA.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: There were 64 patients who underwent THA from March 2012 to December 2015 who were enrolled in the study; 32 patients were randomly assigned to four hours of a drainage clamping technique (clamping group); 32 patients were treated with a non-clamping drainage technique (non-clamping group). All perioperative clinical details were recorded for comparative analysis.

RESULTS: The postoperative drainage volume and calculated blood loss were significantly greater in the drainage non-clamping group, p<0.001 and p=0.028, respectively. Significantly more patients in the drainage non-clamping group required a blood transfusion, seven cases versus one case (p=0.023). Significantly more units of blood were transfused in the drainage non-clamping group (p=0.001). No significant differences were found for all other clinical outcome factors.

CONCLUSIONS: The four-hour drainage clamping technique following THA, compared with drainage non-clamping technique reduced blood loss and requirement for blood transfusion. There was no increase in adverse clinical events using the four-hour drainage clamping method. Therefore, four-hour drainage clamping has the potential for routine use in THA.

Keywords: Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip, Blood Loss, Surgical, Blood Transfusion, Drainage, Sanitary