OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of initiative and passive perioperative function exercises on hidden blood loss (HBL).

METHODSTwo hundreds and thirty elderly patients with hip fractures aging from 67 to 87 years (average age of 73.6 years) who underwent total hip replacement were included. By the intensity and the manner of perioperative function exercises, patients were divided into four groups: little initiative function exercises group (group A, n=51), little initiative and passive function exercises group (group B, n=54), normal initiative function exercises group (group C, n=65), normal initiative and passive function exercises group (group D, n=60). The true total blood loss, HBL and their proportion on the original blood volume and total blood loss was calculated depending on height, weight, intra-operative blood loss, post-operative blood loss, pre- and post-operative hematocrit, and blood transfused. According to the proportion of mean HBL on total blood loss, patients were divided into low HBL group and high HBL group. The data were analyzed by t test.

RESULTSThe mean HBL was 517 ml, 41.9% of the total blood loss. Thereinto, the mean HBL was 695 ml in group A, 49.3% of the total blood loss, the prevalence of high HBL was 66.7% (34/51); the mean HBL was 625 ml in group B, 46.9% of the total blood loss, the prevalence of high HBL was 59.3% (32/54); the mean HBL was 446 ml in group C, 38.4% of the total blood loss, the prevalence of high HBL was 30.8% (20/65); the mean HBL was 346 ml in group D, 32.3% of the total blood loss, the prevalence of high HBL was 20.0% (12/60). Mean HBL, mean HBL/total blood loss, prevalence of high HBL were lower in group C than that in group A and group B (all P<0.05); and were lower in group D than that in group C (all P<0.05). The prevalence was 57.4% (132 cases) in low HBL group, and 42.6% (98 cases) in high HBL. The proportion of little initiative function exercises patients in high HBL group was obviously higher than that in low HBL group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe intensity and the manner of perioperative function exercises are strongly associated with the HBL in elderly patients with total hip replacement. The initiative combined with the passive function exercises could be effectively prevent and reduce the incidence of high HBL.