Diathermy knife does not reduce bleeding in surgery for primary hip arthroplasty : A prospective randomized study of 67 patients

Abstract

We evaluated bleeding in a prospective randomized study of 67 patients undergoing primary hip arthroplasty. In group A, all dissections were made with the diathermy knife and in group B, we used the scalpel. In both groups, bleeding points were coagulated with diathermy. The surgical approach, use of anticoagulants and method of anesthesia were similar in the two groups. We found that use of a diathermy knife does not significantly reduce bleeding.