Staged bilateral hip or knee arthroplasties

FR Hashmi, K Barlas, CF Mann, FR Howell
Department of Orthopaedics, Diana Princess of Wales Hospital, Scartho Road, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, United Kingdom

PURPOSE. To compare the operating time, amount
of blood transfused, length of hospital stay, and
early complications (within 6 months) between 2-week staged bilateral arthroplasties and matched
randomised controls undergoing unilateral
arthroplasties.

METHODS. From October 1992 to October 2000,
90 patients who underwent bilateral hip or knee
arthroplasties with a 2-week interval were compared
with matched randomised controls undergoing
unilateral arthroplasties. A single surgeon performed
all procedures.

RESULTS. After the match-up process, 30 pairs of
patients were included in the analysis. There were no
significant differences in the operating times, amount
of blood transfused, and early complication rates.
The mean difference in length of hospital stay was
significant (t= -3.552, df=29, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION. Compared to staged procedures with an interval months apart, staged sequential arthroplasty
with a 7- to 10-day interval during one hospital
admission is more efficient, as it facilitates earlier
rehabilitation without higher complication rates, and
entails shorter hospital stays.