2014 AAOS Annual Meeting: Prospective, Randomized Trial to Evaluate Effectiveness of a Thrombin-Based Hemostatic in Total Knee Arthroplasty

108 patients undergoing primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were randomized to receive either a thrombin-based topical hemostatic matrix sealant with electrocautery or electrocautery alone. The purpose of this study was to determine whether this hemostatic agent is effective for reducing blood loss and transfusion rates. Results indicated that the use of the hemostatic agent was associated with a significantly lower mean drain output and calculated blood loss, however mean haemoglobin loss and the number of patients requiring a blood transfusion were similar between the treatment and control groups. Based on these findings, the clinical importance of this treatment is called into question.