Abstract
To examine the incidence and predictors of blood transfusion following total knee replacement (TKR). Methods: A retrospective study on 462 patients of primary TKR at National Guard Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Descriptive statistics were compared by blood transfusion status and significant variables were further included in the multivariable model. Results: Overall transfusion rate following TKR was 35.3%. Regression analyses identified bilateral surgery, low preoperative hemoglobin (Hb) level, and high amount of blood loss as predictors of blood transfusion. Conclusion: Correction of Hb level prior to surgery, careful hemostasis, and avoiding bilateral surgery may reduce the rate of blood transfusion following TKR.