Subcutaneous Indwelling of Vacuum Drainage in Total Knee Arthroplasty

There are numerous reports in the literature on drainage options after TKA, but there is no consensus. Many studies have shown no apparent advantage of drainage but routine intraarticular indwelling drainage after TKA has been extensively used to avoid complications associated with hematoma formation. It is of interest to determine if it is possible to reduce blood loss while still using drainage. So we came to think about a new and more convenient method-subcutaneous indwelling. Theoretically subcutaneous indwelling method which still has the advantages over the intraarticular indwelling method but is more convenient than drain-clamping method may be a better option. So we hypothesized that subcutaneous indwelling method of vacuum drainage has advantages over the intraarticular indwelling method.

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of primary osteoarthritis
• primary total knee arthroplasty
• Signed written informed consent
• Spinal/epidural anesthesia

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with coagulation disorders
• Revision total knee arthroplasty
• Simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty
• Diagnosis other than primary osteoarthritis
• Patients refusing consents