A tourniquet is often used in total knee arthroplasty resulting in improved visualization of structures, reduced intraoperative bleeding and better cementation. The risks include deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. To quantify the case for or against tourniquet use, we carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis of selected randomized controlled trials. Ten studies were included in the meta-analysis. Of the 8 outcomes analyzed (surgery duration; total, intraoperative, and postoperative blood losses; deep vein thrombosis; pulmonary embolism; and minor/major complications), the total and intraoperative blood losses were less using a tourniquet. Minor complications were more common in the tourniquet group. The remaining outcomes showed no difference between the groups. Using a tourniquet may be beneficial, but long-term studies of outcome are needed.

A comparison of outcomes with and without a tourniquet in total knee arthroplasty: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Proponents of tourniquets postulate that they optimise intra-operative visibility and reduce blood loss. This study compared the outcomes of tourniquet assisted to non-tourniquet assisted total knee replacement (TKR). A systematic review was undertaken of the electronic databases Medline, CINAHL, AMED and EMBASE, in addition to a review of unpublished material and a hand search of pertinent orthopaedic journals. The evidence-base was critically appraised using a tool from the Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group. Fifteen studies were identified evaluating 16 outcome measures and parameters of 1040 TKRs in 991 patients. There was a significantly greater intra-operative blood loss in non-tourniquet compared to tourniquet assisted surgery (p=0.004). There was no significant difference between the groups for total blood loss or transfusion rate (p=0.22; p=0.48). There was a trend for greater complications in tourniquet compared to non-tourniquet patients. There was no difference between the groups for any other outcome measure assessed. In conclusion, this systematic review has found that there is no advantage to using a tourniquet in knee replacement surgery for reduction of transfusion requirements.

Is a tourniquet beneficial in total knee replacement surgery? A meta-analysis and systematic review

The objective of this study was to examine the characteristics of hidden blood loss and assess the effects of using a tourniquet on postoperative hidden loss in patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty. Eighty patients were randomised into two groups: one group underwent operation with a tourniquet and one without. Operating time, perioperative blood loss, hidden blood loss, free haemoglobin, swelling, ecchymosis, straight leg raising action and knee flexion were measured. There were significant differences in the hidden blood loss, free haemoglobin, postoperative swelling, extent of ecchymosis, straight leg raising and postoperative knee flexion in the early period after operation between the two groups. Our results indicate that knee arthroplasty operations with a tourniquet might promote postoperative hidden blood loss and hinder patients’ in early postoperative rehabilitation exercises.

/pdf/the-effect-of-tourniquet-use-on-hidden-blood-loss-in-total-fidid0gip5.pdf

The effect of tourniquet use on hidden blood loss in total knee arthroplasty

We conducted a prospective, randomised study on primary total knee replacements to evaluate the effects of tourniquet use on total calculated blood loss using Gross formula, post-operative measured blood loss, operating time, need for blood transfusion, post-operative pain, analgesia requirement and knee flexion. Forty patients were operated on with the use of an arterial tourniquet with pressure of 350 mmHg (group A), and 40 patients without the use of a tourniquet (group B). Total calculated blood loss was significantly increased (P=0.0165) without the use of a tourniquet. There was no significant difference in measured blood loss or operating time. The median units of blood given were similar in both groups. In spite of autologous transfusions 14% of patients received additional homologous transfusions. At 6 h post-operatively pain was significantly less (P=0.0458) in group B but was similar at 24 and 48 h. There was no significant difference in analgesia requirement. The mean change in total flexion in group B was significantly better (P<0.001) at 5 days than in group A, but knee flexion was similar at 10 days and 3 months. Knee arthroplasty operations without the use of a tourniquet cause a greater blood loss but have only small benefits in the early post-operative period.

The effect of tourniquet use in total knee arthroplasty

Background: Some surgeons release the tourniquet before closing the wound to secure hemostasis during knee arthroplasty. We examined whether early tourniquet release could reduce the perioperative blood loss and whether not releasing the tourniquet until after wound closure would increase the risk of early postoperative complications.

Methods: We searched electronic databases and reference lists of relevant articles, retrieved all of the published randomized controlled trials designed to address these issues, and performed a meta-analysis.

Results: Eleven studies involving a total of 872 patients and 893 primary knee arthroplasties were analyzed systematically. The studies showed considerable clinical and methodological diversity. Early release of the tourniquet increased the total measured blood loss (weighted mean difference = 228.7 mL; 95% confidence interval = 168.3 to 289.1; p < 0.00001). Early release also increased blood loss as calculated on the basis of the maximum decrease in hemoglobin concentration (weighted mean difference = 320.7 mL; 95% confidence interval = 204.3 to 437.1; p < 0.00001). The rate of reoperations due to postoperative complications was 3.1% (nine of 290) in the group with late tourniquet release compared with 0.3% (one of 290) in the group with early tourniquet release; the risk difference was 3% (95% confidence interval, 0.1% to 5%), which was significant (p = 0.04).

Conclusions: Early tourniquet release for hemostasis increases the blood loss associated with primary knee arthroplasty. However, tourniquet release after wound closure can increase the risk of early postoperative complications requiring another operation. Well-conducted large studies are needed to further explore the risk of early postoperative complications associated with late tourniquet release in knee arthroplasty.

Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Timing of tourniquet release in knee arthroplasty. Meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials

Tourniquet time and its relationship to blood loss and deep vein thrombosis were studied in 80 cases of unilateral total knee arthroplasty. These data were part of a prospective multicenter double-blind study on thromboprophylaxis for knee surgery. This study reports on the cases done at one institution in which the tourniquet was used in three different ways: group 1, no tourniquet use; group 2, limited tourniquet use for cementing time only; group 3, tourniquet use throughout the whole case. Blood loss was significantly related to tourniquet time (P = .0001). The incidence of deep vein thrombosis was not related to the tourniquet group (P = .9).

Effect of tourniquet use on blood loss and incidence of deep vein thrombosis in total knee arthroplasty.

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Effect of tourniquet use on blood loss and incidence of deep vein thrombosis in total knee arthroplasty.