EFFECT OF CIRCUMFLEX ARTERY LIGATION ON INTRA- AND POSTOPERATIVE BLEEDING DURING HIP PROSTHESIS SURGERY

Material and methods: Two series of 35 total hip arthroplasties (THA) implanted by the same surgeon using the posterior approach were compared. The first group underwent surgery in 1999 and the second in 2001. Ligation of the posterior medial circumflex artery was systematically performed in the second group. The same prosthesis was used in all cases: an omnicase stem and a Schuster (Centerpulse) or polyethylene cup. The series included cemented (n=37) and non-cemented (n=32) prostheses with one hybrid implant. We analysed retrospectively, intra- and postoperative bleeding, haematocrit before and just after surgery, and the number of packed red cell units transfused during and after surgery in order to determine the degree of intra- and postoperative bleeding. Statistical tests were applied.Technique: Via the posterior approach, before sectioning the pelvitrochanteric muscles, the upper third of the fibres of the quadratus femoris muscle were dissociated. The artery runs upwardly and anterior toward the p...