Total hip replacement surgery does not influence RBC survival

BACKGROUND: RBC survival may be affected by mechanical or oxidative stress as well as the inflammatory effect of surgery, and thus may contribute to p ostoperative anemia. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: RBC survival was studied in otherwise healthy pat ients who underwent total hip replacement (THR). RBCs of five patients sche duled for elective THR surgery were labeled with Cr-51 2 weeks before the s urgical procedure. The disappearance of Cr-51-labeled RBCs was calculated f or the preoperative period and for the period from postoperative Day 4 on, when blood loss had ceased. RESULTS: The half-life of Cr-51-labeled RBCs did not change if estimated be fore (29.0 +/- 4.4 days) and after (27.4 +/- 3.6 days, p = 0.55) surgery. T his indicates that the lifespan of RBCs is not influenced by the surgical p rocedure, CONCLUSION: A decrease in RBC survival does not contribute to the pathogene sis of the anemia found after THR surgery.