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Purpose: Perioperative bleeding is an undesirable surgical phenomenon. An effective way of diminishing bleeding is by use of a temporary arterial occlusion balloon (TAOB) to produce regional hypotension. We analysed TAOB-related complications at our institution occurring with total hip arthroplasties between years 2000 and 2016. We also compared the effect on bleeding for a TAOB group and a matched group during this same time.

Patients and methods: 76 consecutive cases had a total hip arthroplasty (THA) combined with a TAOB. In an analysis of all complications connected to the use of TAOB, 48 of them were revision THAs. The matched reference group consisted of 20 patients with revision surgery, but without TAOB. We analysed and compared perioperative bleeding, surgery, and balloon occlusion time for these 2 groups.

Results: No thromboembolic complications or other severe complications were recorded. 1 case had bleeding from the insertion site after catheter removal. 3 cases had balloon failure without the consequences of this complication. The TAOB group had significantly less haemoglobin loss, total perioperative bleeding, bleeding per minute, and total transfusion than the matched reference group.

Interpretation: The use of TAOB in elective THA surgery is safe and effective in reducing intraoperative bleeding.