Tourniquet In Total Knee Arthroplasty Research Articles

Comparison of the outcomes of Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA): tourniquet and tourniquet-less arthroplasty.

Total knee replacement surgery (TKA) ranks among the most commonly performed orthopedic procedures nowadays. Many surgeons perform TKA with the use of tourniquet. It is also possible to carry out a tourniquet-less TKA. As with every surgery, TKA comes with the possibility of postoperative complications. The aim of this paper is to review the available scientific literature in order to systematize current knowledge and compare the pros and cons of tourniquet-based and tourniquet-less methods of total knee arthroplasty. This objective will serve to enhance patient awareness regarding the methods of total knee arthroplasty and provide reliable information to surgeons performing this procedure. The use of a tourniquet in total knee arthroplasty reduces intraoperative blood loss and operation time but may increase postoperative blood loss. It is associated with a higher risk of infection. Patients without a tourniquet experience less postoperative pain, shorter hospital stays, and comparable muscle function recovery over time. Tourniquet use increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis, influenced by tightening time. The choice between these methods involves balancing advantages and drawbacks in blood loss, infection risk, pain, and muscle recovery. Each method presents its own set of advantages and potential drawbacks, and the choice between the two methods requires a careful consideration of these factors.

Can We Forgo the Use of Tourniquets in Total Knee Arthroplasty?

Objective To analyze whether there is more bleeding in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) without using a tourniquet. The secondary objectives were to analyze the operative time, the length of hospital stay, the need for transfusion, and the complication rate. Methods The present is a retrospective study through the analysis of medical records. The patients were divided into two groups: TKA with and without the use of a tourniquet. Reductions in the levels of hemoglobin and packed cell volume 24 h and 48 h after surgery, the operative time, the length of hospital stay, the need for transfusion, and the rate of complications up to 6 months postoperatively were compared between the groups. Results During the period analyzed, 104 patients underwent TKA, and 94 were included in the study. There were no differences between the groups regarding the mean values of hemoglobin and packed cell volume before surgery ( p = 0.675 and p = 0.265), 24 h ( p = 0.099 and p = 0.563), and 48 h ( p = 0.569 and p = 0.810) after the procedure. Neither were there differences between the groups in terms of the operative time and the length of hospital stay ( p = 0.484 and p > 0.05). Moreover, there were no differences regarding the need for transfusion and the complication rate. Conclusion It is possible to forgo the use a tourniquet in TKA without a significant change in hemoglobin and packed cell volume levels 24 h and 48 h after surgery when compared with the group using a tourniquet. There were no significant differences in the total operative time, length of stay, need for transfusion, and complication rate.

Tourniquet does not affect intraoperative kinematics during total knee arthroplasty: Results of a prospective study using a robotic assistance system.

Tourniquet use during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains controversial. There are limited data demonstrating the effect of tourniquet use on flexion and extension gaps. The use of a tourniquet can theoretically affect the kinematics of the knee joint, specifically the extension and flexion gaps and the laxity, by mechanically compressing the soft tissues including the muscles above the knee joint. Therefore, this study was designed to prospectively evaluate changes in flexion and extension gaps with and without the use of a tourniquet. The following prospective study included 50 consecutive patients who underwent TKA using a surgical robot. The inclusion criteria were advanced osteoarthritis (OA) and varus-alignment or valgus-alignment <3° (hip-knee-ankle angle, standing long-leg X-ray), and the exclusion criteria were BMI >35 kg/m2 and mechanical axis in >3° valgus. A CR-TKA was performed, and the medial and lateral gaps (in mm) throughout the full range of motion in 10° increments were recorded. The procedure was conducted both with and without an applied tourniquet (350 mmHg). No significant differences were observed in the medial joint space. By contrast, the lateral gap showed significant differences in 10-20° of flexion (with a tourniquet 1.9 mm vs. without a tourniquet 2.1 mm, p = 0.018), 20-30° (1.6 vs. 1.8 mm, p = 0.02), 100-110° (0.9 vs. 1.1 mm, p = 0.021), and 110-120° (0.8 vs. 1 mm, p = 0.038). Thus, at the above degrees of flexion on the lateral side, there was a decrease in the mean of 0.2 mm with the use of a tourniquet. Although the use of a tourniquet showed a detectable change in the lateral gap in four 10° segments of flexion, clinical relevance with an average difference of 0.2 mm is not achieved. Thus, the use of a tourniquet in TKA can still be advocated based on the presented data. Level I.

Are we causing early undesirable situations by using a tourniquet in total knee arthroplasty?

Are we causing early undesirable situations by using a tourniquet in total knee arthroplasty?

The optimized tourniquet versus no tourniquet in total knee arthroplasty. Analysis of muscle injury, functional recovery, and knee strength

BackgroundTourniquet is widely used in total knee replacement surgery because it reduces intraoperative hemorrhage and provides a comfortable surgical area for the surgeon. It's possible that its use could lead to impaired postoperative functional and motor recovery, as well as local and systemic complications. Our goal was to compare the outcomes of total knee replacement without ischemia using an optimized protocol, consisting of tourniquet inflation before skin incision and deflation after cementing, with a pressure of one hundred millimeters above systolic blood pressure and without postoperative articular suction drains.). We believed that tourniquet effectively would result in no additional muscle damage and no functional or knee strength impairment compared to no tourniquet. MethodsIn a prospective and randomized study, 60 patients with osteoarthritis were evaluated for total knee replacement, divided in two groups: 'without tourniquet' and 'optimized tourniquet'. Outcomes were mean creatine phosphokinase levels, Knee Society Score and knee isokinetic strength. Data were considered significant when p < 0.05. ResultsCreatine phosphokinase levels and functional score were similar between groups. There were no differences between groups regarding knee extension strength on the operated limbs, although the knee flexors' peak torque in the operated limb in the optimized tourniquet group was significantly higher at 6 months relative to preoperative and 3 months assessments. ConclusionsThe optimized tourniquet protocol use in total knee replacement combines the benefits of tourniquet use without compromising functional recovery and without additional muscle damage and strength deficits compared to surgery without its use.

Effects of tourniquet on surgical site wound infection and pain after total knee arthroplasty: A meta-analysis.

The application of a tourniquet (TNQ) for haemostasis in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is controversial and lacking systematic evaluation. This meta-analysis assessed relevant international data to quantitatively evaluate the implications of using TNQ in TKA, further guide clinical diagnosis and treatment, and improve postoperative outcomes. A comprehensive computerised search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP, and Wanfang databases was conducted to retrieve randomised controlled trials on the application of TNQ in TKA published from database inception to August 2023. The included data, ultimately comprising 1482 patients in 16 studies, were collated and subjected to meta-analysis using Stata 17.0 software. The results showed that the use of TNQ during TKA led to significantly higher rates of postoperative surgical site wound infection (3.96% vs. 1.79%, odds ratio: 2.15, 95% confidence intervals [CIs]: 1.11-4.16, p = 0.023) and wound pain scores on the first (standardised mean difference [SMD]: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.35-0.94, p < 0.001), second (SMD: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.01-1.31, p = 0.045), and third (SMD: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.31-1.05, pP < 0.001) day after the procedure. In conclusion, the application of TNQ in TKA increases the risk of postoperative surgical site wound infection and worsens short-term postoperative wound pain; therefore, TNQ should be used sparingly during TKA, or its use should be decided in conjunction with the relevant clinical indications and the surgeon's experience.

A comparative study of the hemodynamic and clinical effects of using or not tourniquet in total knee arthroplasty.

Pneumatic tourniquet is widely used in lower limb surgery to provide a bloodless operating field. Previous studies on total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in which tourniquets have been applied during surgery have reported some vascular and soft tissue complications. Nevertheless, it is still not well known exactly how use of tourniquets contributes to hemodynamics of the lower limb and its clinical relevance following TKA. In this prospective study, we wished to determine whether tourniquet affects the hemodynamics and postoperative healing of the lower limb in the first few weeks and its clinical relevancies following TKA. We prospectively collected consecutive 110 patients with advanced osteoarthritis of the knee. All the subjects were randomly assigned to one of two TKA procedures: TKA with (Group T) or without (Group O) tourniquets. The hemodynamics of each operated leg was assessed by Doppler, firstly before the operation, then postoperatively on days 2, 6, 14 and 28. The operative and postoperative managements were done the same as those described in the papers done by the author. Parameters during the operative and postoperative course, including, demography, pre- or post-operative knee score, tourniquet time, operation time, estimated blood loss, peri-operative blood transfusion, hospital course and complications will all be recorded and compared in detail.All patients were measured for all response variables, which included demographic variables, results of Doppler, and important surgical outcomes. Fisher's exact test was used to compare differences between the two groups for each discrete variable, and a Mann-Whitney Rank Sum Test was used to analyze each continuous variable. The p-value was set for each test at 0.05 before analysis took place. In accordance with the repeated measures, the venous hemodynamic parameters were checked. If any significant differences appeared in the overall test, values were then compared in pairs using two sample t-tests for all statistical tests. The level of significance was set at p< 0.05. In our 110 patients (55 with tourniquet, 55 without), all checked clinical parameter were without significant difference except postoperative quadriceps muscle recovery. This implied tourniquet use influenced postoperative rehabilitation program. Blood loss amount were similar in both groups. There was only 1 DVT found. Tourniquet use in TKA must be managed very carefully. Not only because of immediate complication resulted from tourniquet but also influence on post-operational functional recovery, especially in quadriceps muscle function. According to this study, TKA without tourniquet use preserves better quadriceps muscle function to provide faster recovery and less transfusion need. It avoids complications from tourniquets as well.

Tourniquet application in primary total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

The aim of this study was to identify the influence of a tourniquet on the blood loss, transfusion requirement, swelling, pain, knee function, range of motion (ROM), operation time, bone cement mantle thickness, and complications in patients operated with total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Two authors independently retrieved PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effectiveness of a tourniquet in TKA. Fixed- (I 2 < 50%) or random-effects (I 2 > 50%) models were selected to perform meta-analysis according to the value of I 2. Mean difference (MD) and risk ratio were selected as the effect sizes for continuous and dichotomous variables, respectively. A total of 29 RCTs, involving 2,512 operations (1,258 procedures with a tourniquet and 1,254 procedures without a tourniquet), were included, and 18 outcomes were compared. Tourniquet application could significantly decrease intraoperative blood loss (MD = -138.72 ml, p < 0.001), shorten operation duration (MD = -1.77 min, p < 0.001), and increase cement mantle thickness (MD = 0.17 mm, p < 0.001). However, it was significantly associated with increased postoperative pain intensity, decreased full ROM/flexion ROM/extension ROM, poorer knee function, increased knee swelling, and increased length of hospital stay (LOS) at several follow-up points (p < 0.050). No significant difference was found for postoperative draining volume, total blood loss, transfusion rate, change of Hb level, and risks of deep venous thrombosis and all complications. Tourniquet application could only decrease the intraoperative blood loss but has no effectiveness on the total blood loss and transfusion requirement. On the contrary, it has a reverse effect on the pain score, knee function, ROM, swelling, and LOS.

Tourniquet use in total knee arthroplasty and the risk of infection: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

PurposeThe intra-operative use of tourniquets during Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) is common practice. The advantages of tourniquet use include decreased operating time and the creation of a bloodless visualisation field. However, tourniquet use has recently been linked with increased post-operative pain, reduced range of motion, and slower functional recovery. Importantly, there is limited evidence of the effect of tourniquet use on infection risk. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to fill this gap in the literature by synthesising data pertaining to the association between tourniquet use and infection risk in TKA.MethodsA systematic literature search was performed on Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane and clinicaltrials.gov up to May 2021. Randomized control trials were included, comparing TKA outcomes with and without tourniquet use. The primary outcome was overall infection rate. Secondary outcomes included superficial and deep infection, skin necrosis, skin blistering, DVT rate, and transfusion rate.Results14 RCTs with 1329 patients were included. The pooled incidence of infection in the tourniquet group (4.0%, 95% CI = 2.7–5.4) was significantly higher compared to the non-tourniquet group (2.0%, 95% CI = 1.1–3.1) with an OR of 1.9 (95% CI = 1.1–3.76, p = 0.03). The length of hospital stay, haemoglobin drop (0.33 95% CI =0.12–0.54), P = 0.002) and transfusion rates (OR of 2.7, 95%CI = 1.4–5.3, P = < 0.01) were higher in the tourniquet group than the non-tourniquet group. The difference in the length of inhospital stay was 0.24 days favouring the non-tourniquet group (95% CI = 0.10–0.38, P = < 0.01). The incidence of skin blistering (OR 2.6, 95% CI = 0.7–9.9, p = 0.17), skin necrosis (OR 3.0, 95% CI = 0.50–19.3, p = 0.25), and DVT rates (OR 1.5, 95% CI = 0.60–3.60, p = 0.36) did not differ between the two groups.ConclusionQuantitative synthesis of the data suggested tourniquet use was associated with an increased overall risk of infection, intraoperative blood loss, need for blood transfusion and longer hospital stay. Findings of this meta-analysis do not support the routine use of tourniquet in TKA and arthroplasty surgeons should consider any potential additional risks associated with its use.Level of evidencemeta-analysis, Level II.

Effect of tourniquet use on total blood loss following total knee arthroplasty

Objectives: Blood loss during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can be a concern. Therefore, a tourniquet (TQ) is commonly used during the procedure to minimize this risk. However, the use of a TQ in TKA continues to be a matter of debate among orthopedic surgeons and is related to its advantages and disadvantages. We retrospectively evaluated the impact of applying the TQ on total blood loss following TKA in 276 patients. Methods: Patients were categorized into two groups: TQ and non- TQ. Demographics, surgical time, pre- and post-operative hemoglobin levels, number of blood units transfused, and rate of venous thromboembolism (VTE) were compared between the groups. The mean age of the study population was 62.8 ± 7.2 years, and 76.4% of patients were females. The TQ group consisted of 159 patients, whereas the non-TQ group consisted of 117 patients. Results: The two groups were homogenous, and there was no statistically significant difference in age or gender distribution between the two groups. The results showed no significant difference in total blood loss, need for blood transfusion, or VTE rate postoperatively when using a TQ. Female gender was identified to be a significant predictor of a decrease in post-operative hemoglobin. Conclusion: We found that the use of the TQ had no effect on total blood loss following primary TKA. Female gender was a predictor of increased blood loss in both groups. It is essential that surgeons performing arthroplasty balance the risks and benefits of using a TQ during TKA.

Reappraisal of Limited Duration Tourniquet in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Double-Blinded RCT.

The majority of arthroplasty surgeons use a full duration of tourniquet while doing total knee arthroplasty. Recent literature suggests clinical dilemma about superior function with limited duration use of a tourniquet. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the time-dependent effects and clinical outcome of tourniquet in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and to assess the incidence of adverse vascular events of the limb in TKA. This study is the first of its kind to evaluate all the serious vascular events prospectively. Sixty participants who underwent TKA in the duration of 1.5years at a large single tertiary care centre were recruited and randomly allocated in two groups: Full duration tourniquet (n = 30) and tourniquet only during cementation (n = 30). All patients underwent preoperative and postoperative arterial and venous Doppler to evaluate the presence of thrombosis. The operative duration, blood loss, and clinical outcome (visual analogue scale, active knee range of motion, Knee Society score, and duration of stay) were recorded. The incidence of vascular complications was not statistically significant in either group (P = 0.99). Tourniquet during cementation only group exhibited decreased postoperative pain on days 1, 2, and 3 (P < 0.01). But postoperative knee active range of motion was the same between the two groups with no significant postoperative complications. Tourniquet use only during cementation could result in faster recovery and less pain during the early rehabilitation period with no influence over the incidence of serious vascular events. AIIMS/IEC/2018/475. This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur and was carried out at AIIMS (Jodhpur), India.

Effects of the Use of Tourniquet in Total Knee Arthroplasty on the Clinical and Functional Outcomes with 5 Years of Follow-up: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The use of tourniquet in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) had a lot of controversies with no clear agreement about the advantages and disadvantages of tourniquet. This study aims to show the effects of tourniquet use in TKA on the functional and clinical outcomes with follow-up of 5 years. This is a randomized, double-blind, and single-center study of 101 patients who were treated by TKA and divided randomly into two groups. Tourniquet was used in group A and was not used in group B. Both groups were assessed by Knee Society score (KSS), knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS), visual analogue scale (VAS) score for thigh pain, and postoperative complications. Both groups were followed up for 5 years. The group of no tourniquet showed significant better functional outcomes measured by KSS at postoperative periods of 2 weeks (p = 0.001), 6 weeks (p = 0.006), and 3 months (p = 0.034), and KOOS at postoperative periods of 2 weeks (p = 0.001), 6 weeks (p =0.001), and 3 months (p = 0.016). However, there was no significant difference in long-term follow-up of 5 years. There were significantly better results with use of tourniquet regarding surgeon's visualization during surgery, less operative time, and less calculated blood loss, while significantly better results with no use of tourniquet were reported regarding less hospital stay, less postoperative analgesic consumption, and less postoperative thigh pain measured by VAS score at postoperative periods of day 1 (p = 0.001), day 5 (p = 0.001), 2 weeks (p = 0.001), and 6 weeks (p = 0.001). Regarding postoperative blood transfusion and clinical deep venous thrombosis, there was no significant difference between use of tourniquet or not. The evidence presented in this level-1 randomized controlled trial suggests that no use of tourniquet in TKA can improve functional outcomes in early postoperative period with no significant difference on functional outcome at 5 years of follow-up.

Effectiveness and Safety of Tourniquet Application Strategies in Total Knee Arthroplasty: a Meta-analysis.

We conducted the present meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness and safety of long-duration tourniquet and short-duration tourniquet for patients with total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified from the following electronic databases: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library from inception to January 1, 2021. Studies comparing long-duration tourniquet and short-duration tourniquet in total knee arthroplasty were included. Either a random-effects model or a fixed-effects model was used for meta-analysis depending on the heterogeneity. Statistical analysis was assessed using RevMan 5.3 software. A total of 8 RCTs with a total of 484 patients were eligible and ultimately included in the meta-analysis. Compared with patients in the long-duration tourniquet, those in the short-duration tourniquet were significantly correlated with postoperative drainage volume (WMD = -71.85, 95% CI - 76.52 to - 67.17, P = 0.31), but an increased risk of total blood loss (WMD = 68.13, 95% CI 5.15-131.12, P = 0.03) and intraoperative blood loss (WMD = 137.13, 95% CI 69.06-205.20, P < 0.00001). Two groups showed no significant difference in operation time, visual analogue scale score of knee in early, transfusion rate and incidence of deep venous thrombosis. Our meta-analysis suggested that the short-duration tourniquet in TKA significantly decreased the postoperative drainage volume, increased the total blood loss and intraoperative blood loss. However, it did not marked decrease the occurrence of transfusion rate. Although the incidence of deep venous thrombosis was reduced in some study, it was not statistically significant. Additional high quality RCTs are needed to identify the hypothesis. Therefore, we recommend prolonged use of tourniquets during TKA surgery.

Thermographic Assessment of Reperfusion Profile Following Using a Tourniquet in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Prospective Observational Study.

BackgroundInfrared thermal imaging is a non-invasive technique capable of detecting changes in temperature that could ultimately signify changes in blood supply. Flir One is a smartphone-based thermal camera, working by a downloadable application, capable of detecting the limb temperature through a non-contact method using infrared thermography technology. Using the Flir One camera, we will assess the lower limb reperfusion profile following the tourniquet release post total knee arthroplasty (TKA).MethodsA prospective study included 46 patients who underwent primary TKA. We used the (Flir One Gen 3) thermographic camera to capture images at ankle joint preoperatively, and at 1, 10, and 20 minutes post tourniquet release on operation side. The contralateral ankle stands as control.ResultsThe mean preoperative temperature (in Celsius) of ankle control side and operated side were 33.03 (SD=1.65) and 33.26 (SD=1.42), respectively. The mean ankle temperature on operation side was 19.73 (SD=2.85), 30.49 (SD=2), and 32.43 (SD=1.31) at 1, 10, and 20 minutes post tourniquet release, respectively, while the control side showed a mean temperature of 32.85 (SD=1.42), 32.84 (SD=0.91), and 33.15 (SD=0.95) at the same time intervals. There was a significant statistical difference between both ankle temperatures at 1 and 10 minutes (P=0.00 for each time). At 20 minutes, 37 ankles (80.4%) at operation side reached a temperature level similar but below the level of control side; however, the difference was not significant (P=0.692).ConclusionInfrared thermography using the smartphone-connected camera is a simple, non-invasive, feasible, and reliable technology. It provides an objective measure to assess the perfusion status of the limbs. In TKA, the distal limb will reach full reperfusion status after approximately 20 minutes of tourniquet release.

气压止血带在全膝关节置换术中应用的研究进展

气压止血带在全膝关节置换术中应用的研究进展

Comparison of local pain and tissue reaction between conventional pneumatic tourniquet and disposable silicone ring tourniquet during Total Knee Arthroplasty

BackgroundTo study the comparison of conventional pneumatic and disposable silicone ring tourniquet in Total Knee Arthroplasty. Material and methodsThis is a prospective randomized control trial. We used conventional pneumatic tourniquet on one side of leg and disposable silicone ring tourniquet on the other side in consecutive 50 simultaneous bilateral TKR patients. Patients having peripheral vascular disease of the lower limb were excluded from the study. The patient demographics & characteristics are identical being the same patient with two different legs. We started the study with null hypothesis. An independent observer assessed the local tourniquet site pain (VAS score 1–10) and local tourniquet site skin reaction at 24 h and 48 h after the TKA. P value < 0.05 was considered significant. ResultsThere were no local skin complication with disposable tourniquet (0%). 8 out of 50 patients in whom the conventional tourniquet was applied showed local bruising, and two patients had blister formation making the local skin site complication rate 20% (statistically significant, p value0.0196, chi-squared test). The VAS score at 24 h was 4.3 ± 1.5 for disposable tourniquet group as against 5.6 ± 2.1 for conventional tourniquet group (statistically significant, p value = 0.0152, t statistic test for comparison of means). The VAS score at 48 h was 2.1 ± 1.5 and 3.3 ± 1.2 for disposable tourniquet group and conventional tourniquet group respectively (statistically significant p value = 0.003, student’s t-test). ConclusionUse of disposable tourniquet has better outcome than the conventional tourniquet with minimal or no local complications. The advantages of the disposable tourniquet are: 1 less local pain, 2. no local skin problems, 3. accurate tourniquet pressure at the application site, 4.0% local contamination. Hence, we recommend use of the disposable tourniquet during the Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Tourniquet Versus No Tourniquet in Total Knee Arthroplasty: We Don't Have a Winner Yet: Commentary on article by Rahul Goel, MD, et al.: "Tourniquet Use Does Not Affect Functional Outcomes or Pain After Total Knee Arthroplasty. A Prospective, Double-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial".

Tourniquet Versus No Tourniquet in Total Knee Arthroplasty: We Don't Have a Winner Yet: Commentary on article by Rahul Goel, MD, et al.: "Tourniquet Use Does Not Affect Functional Outcomes or Pain After Total Knee Arthroplasty. A Prospective, Double-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial".

Influence of the Tourniquet on Pain and Function in Total Knee Arthroplasty: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The use of the tourniquet in total knee arthroplasty is still a subject of controversial discussion. Previous studies mainly focus on parameters like blood loss and operation time. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the postoperative outcome involving parameters such as pain intensity, analgesic consumption, knee function and complication rate with and without tourniquet use, to find a recommendation for future application in total knee arthroplasty. This review is based on the PRISMA Checklists. A systematic research was performed in PubMed using the key words "tourniquet", "total knee arthroplasty", "TKA" and "knee endoprosthesis" up to and including January 2018. The initial search revealed 686 Papers which were extracted by the parameters intensity of pain, analgesic consumption, function (range of motion, Hospital for Special Surgery Score, Knee Society Score) and complications (deep vein thrombosis, surgical side infection, pulmonary embolism). The program Review Manager Version 5.3 was used for statistical analysis. A significance level of p < 0,05 was defined. 18 studies were included in this review with 1279 total knee arthroplasties overall (646 with the use of tourniquet and 633 without). The analysis shows a significant lower pain intensity until the fifth postoperative day (p = 0,03) and also after one to three months (p = 0,04) without using the tourniquet. Range of motion is significantly higher in two to three days postoperatively (p < 0,00 001) when the surgery was performed without tourniquet. Knee Society Score shows no difference between the two groups. A deep vein thrombosis appears significantly more often when using a tourniquet (p = 0,04). There was no higher occurrence in pulmonary embolism and surgical side infections. The use of a pneumatic tourniquet in total knee arthroplasty affects especially the early postoperative pain and functional recovery.

More pain and slower functional recovery when a tourniquet is used during total knee arthroplasty.

Although a tourniquet can effectively control intraoperative blood loss and offer clear surgical field in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), its optimal usage has been controversial. The aim of this research was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare and explore the best application of a tourniquet in TKA. MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Wanfang database, and Web of Science were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the four different strategies of tourniquet application in TKA. In Group I, a tourniquet was not used and was called the non-tourniquet (NT) group. In Group II, a tourniquet was only used during the cementation of implants and was called the specific duration tourniquet (SDT) group. In Group III, the tourniquet was only released before wound closure to control the bleeding sources and was called the majority duration tourniquet (MDT) group. In Group IV, a tourniquet was used throughout the procedure, from skin incision to wound closure and was called the whole duration tourniquet (WDT) group. Forty-six RCTs were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. In a comparison between the NT and WDT groups (25 RCTs), intraoperative blood loss (IBL) (P = 0.0001) and range of motion (ROM) (P = 0.0001) were significantly increased in the NT group, while the visual analog score (VAS) (P = 0.0001), rate of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (P = 0.01), and all complications (AC) (P = 0.0001) were significantly decreased in the NT group. In a comparison between the SDT and WDT groups (10 RCTs), IBL (P = 0.0001), TBL (P = 0.009), and ROM (P = 0.0001) were significantly increased in the SDT group, while thigh pain (P = 0.04) and the rate of DVT (P = 0.03) were significantly decreased in the SDT group. There were no significant differences between the MDT and WDT groups (12 RCTs) except for the rate of all complications (P = 0.01). Despite the decrease in IBL with a tourniquet, no difference was found in TBL. In conclusion, not using a tourniquet or only using it during the cementation of implants was preferable based on the faster functional recovery, lower rate of DVTs and complications compared with using a tourniquet throughout the TKA procedure. I.

The use of tourniquet during total knee replacement in patients with and without popliteal artery calcification

ObjectiveIdentify the clinical and surgical complications associated with the use of a tourniquet in total knee arthroplasty in patients with or without calcification of the popliteal artery. MethodsThe study was performed retrospectively, analyzing 58 patients with calcification of the popliteal artery and 57 patients as a control group. ResultsThe case group patients were significantly older than patients in the control group; however, this had no impact on the clinical outcome in the analyzed period.There were no complications during surgery in the groups studied, as there were no statistically significant differences between the incidence of local or systemic intercurrences in the analyzed period. ConclusionThis study found low rates of complications in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasties with use of a tourniquet, with or without calcification of the popliteal artery.