The use of tissue adhesive as an adjunct to wound closure in knee arthroplasty does not reduce wound ooze
10.1186/s43019-020-00073-0
- Author:
Mohamed A. KHALEFA
1
;
Lindsay K. SMITH
;
Riaz AHMAD
Author Information
1. Trauma and Orthopaedics, Weston General Hospital, Weston-super-Mare, UK.
- Publication Type:R E S E A R C H A R T I C L E
- From:The Journal of Korean Knee Society
2020;32(4):e57-
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Patients and methods:Forty-three patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) by a single surgeon were studied. All wounds were closed using staples with or without tissue adhesive. Post-operatively, the wounds were reviewed daily for ooze. Dressings were changed only if soaked > 50% or if there was persistent wound discharge of more than 2 × 2 cm at 72 h.
Results:There were 21 patients in the tissue adhesive (group 1), 22 in the non-tissue adhesive (group 2) with the average age for group 1 of 72.2 years and for group 2 of 69.3 years. The median length of stay for both groups was 4 days (range of 3–7 days for group 1 and 2–6 days for group 2) (P = 0.960). The tissue adhesive group showed a statistically significant reduction in wound ooze on day 1 (P = 0.019); however, the difference was not significant on the following days. The median for the number of dressing changes for group 1 was zero changes and for group 2, one change. This was not statistically significant (P = 0.112). No complications were observed in both groups and there were no reactions to the tissue adhesive.
Conclusion:The data from this case series suggest that the use of tissue adhesive may reduce wound ooze on day 1 only. The latter is most likely due to significant tensile forces to which the knee arthroplasty wound is subjected in the immediate post-operative rehabilitation. Further, the cost of tissue adhesive is not offset by reduced dressing changes or length of hospital stay.
