Total hip and knee joint replacement: perioperative clinical aspects.

OBJECTIVE To understand the profile of patients undergoing hip and knee replacement during two years, and to compare the data obtained with the literature. METHODS A total of 323 medical records were reviewed to analyze the perioperative data of patients submitted to hip and knee replacement. RESULTS Osteoarthritis was the main indication for both procedures and male patients were heavier than females (p < 0.05). Hypertension was the prevalent disease among patients. Blood loss was more frequent in knee surgery than in the hip. CONCLUSIONS The profile of patients undergoing total arthroplasty improved substantially over the past decade due to shorter hospital stay, lower risk of thromboembolic events and no infection as compared to previous reports.