Bipolar sealing in revision total hip arthroplasty for infection: efficacy and cost analysis

Abstract

Saline-coupled bipolar sealing has shown mixed results in primary arthroplasty. However, this technology has not been studied in infected revision total hip arthroplasty (THA), where morbidity is higher and conventional methods of blood management, such as cell salvage, often cannot be used. This case-matched study of 76 consecutive revision THA for infection included an experimental bipolar sealing group and a control group of conventional electrocautery. Groups were matched for gender, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, and surgery type. Total blood loss, intraoperative blood loss, and perioperative hemoglobin drop were significantly less in the experimental group. In addition, operative time was significantly shorter in the experimental group, which translated into gross savings approximately equal to the cost of the device. The decreases in total blood loss and perioperative hemoglobin decline, along with financial savings, may support the use of bipolar sealing in infected revision THA.