A prospective observational study to evaluate the blood loss in a cohort of patients with pertrochanteric femoral fracture

Objective: To evaluate the blood loss intraoperatively and through the drainages during the postoperative procedure of pertrochanteric femoral fractures, in order to know when is appropriated time to take them out. Patients and methods: A descriptive, longitudinal and unicenter study of a prospective and consecutive cohort of patients with pertrochanteric femoral fracture treated with a Dynamic Hip Screw. 100 patients were included, with a mean age 86 (DE: 8) years old; 74% were women. Deep drainages were inserted in 96 and superficial drainages in 17 cases. The principal outcome was the blood loss collected through the drainages during the first three hours of the postoperative, at 24 hours and at 48 hours. Results: The mean intraoperative blood loss was 278.1 (SD: 148.2) mL, and the mean blood loss through the drainages during the postoperative period was 76,2 (SD: 83.4) mL. Within the first postoperative 24 hours, 74% of the patients had blood losses whereas 52% did so within 48 hours. Sixty eight patients required blood transfusion. Conclusion: The main postoperative blood loss in the pertrochanteric fracture is small. A few patients can take benefit of drainages, therefore if we not use them, it would be advisable to perform a risk-benefit analysis.