Objectives To analyze whether there is more bleeding in patients undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) without the use of a tourniquet. Secondary objectives were to analyze surgical and hospitalization time, need for transfusion and complication rate. Methods Retrospective study with analysis of medical records. Patients were divided into two groups: one group in which TKA was performed using a tourniquet and the other without. The values of drops in hemoglobin and hematocrit 24 and 48 hours after surgery, surgical time, hospital stay, need for transfusion and the rate of complications up to six months postoperatively were compared. Results 104 patients were operated on during the period, 94 of which were included in the study. There was no difference between the mean values of hemoglobin and hematocrit between groups, preoperatively (p 0.675 and p 0.265), 24h (p 0.099 and p 0.563) and 48h (p 0.569 and p 0.810) after surgery. Surgical time and length of hospital stay were also not different between groups (p 0.484 and p>0.05). There was no difference regarding the need for transfusions, nor regarding the rate of complications analyzed. Conclusion We can don’t use of a tourniquet in TKA surgeries without significant change in the value of hemoglobin and hematocrit levels at 24 and 48 days after surgery when compared to the group using a tourniquet. Likewise, there was no significant difference in the total duration of surgeries, length of stay, need for transfusions or in the rates of complications analyzed.
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