Enhanced recovery principles applied to revision hip and knee arthroplasty reduces length of stay and blood transfusion.

INTRODUCTION: This is the first study reporting the application of Enhanced Recovery Principles (ERP) to revision arthroplasty.

METHOD: Retrospective series of 132 revision hip and knee replacements treated with ERP.

RESULTS: Infiltration was associated with reduced LOS in knees (6 vs 8.5 days), lower PCA usage and incidence of transfusion in knees (2 vs 3 days) and hips (1 vs 6 days). Revisions for infection had a longer LOS (5.4 vs 11.5 days p = 0.001), a greater use of PCA and a higher incidence of transfusion (5 vs 0) in both knees and hips.

DISCUSSION: The application of ERPs to revision arthroplasty is safe. Infiltration appears to be an important factor in improving outcome measures.