Effect of early release of tourniquet in total knee arthroplasty

Comparison of tourniquet application only during cementation and long-duration tourniquet application in total knee arthroplasty: a meta-analysis

Background

Tourniquet is widely used by orthopedic surgeons in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, there are still controversies on the optimal timing of tourniquet application. The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the effect and safety of tourniquet application only during cementation with long-duration tourniquet application in TKA.

Methods

An electronic literature search of PubMed, the Cochrane library, Embase, and Web of Science was conducted in July 2017. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing tourniquet application only during cementation with long-duration tourniquet application in TKA were included. RevMan 5.3 software was selected to perform the meta-analysis.

Results

Seven studies involving 440 TKAs were included for meta-analysis. The results suggested that although significant less intraoperative and total blood loss were observed with long-duration tourniquet application, tourniquet application only during cementation would not increase the number of transfusion and operation time. Tourniquet application only during cementation results in less knee pain on post-operative day 1 (POD 1), less time needed to achieve straight-leg raise, and less minor complications following TKA.

Conclusions

Tourniquet application only during cementation might reduce the rate of minor complications and have faster functional recovery during the early rehabilitation period following TKA, but it could not limit intraoperative and total blood loss. No definitive conclusions can be drawn based on the current evidences. Further, large well-designed RCTs with extensive follow-up are still needed to validate this research.

Timing of tourniquet release in total knee arthroplasty: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

For total knee arthroplasty (TKA), the tourniquet is routinely employed for better visualization, less blood loss, and easier cementation. However, the time to release tourniquet remains controversial. Therefore, we performed current meta-analysis to assess whether releasing tourniquet before wound closure is more effective in reducing blood loss than releasing tourniquet after wound closure in TKA without an increased risk of complications.

METHODS

To conduct this meta-analysis, we searched Medline, Embase, Web of science, and the Cochrane library up to November 2016, for randomized controlled trials comparing tourniquet releasing before and after wound closure in TKA. A meta-analysis was performed following the guidelines of the Cochrane Reviewer's Handbook and the PRISMA statement. Methodological quality of the trials was assessed using the Cochrane risk assessment scale. The data of the included studies were analyzed using Stata 12.0.

RESULTS

Sixteen trials involving 1010 patients were identified in current meta-analysis. Our meta-analysis demonstrated that there were no significant differences in the 2 groups in terms of calculated blood loss (weighted mean difference [WMD] = 160.65, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.2 to 321.49, P = .05), postoperative blood loss (WMD = -45.41, 95% CI: -120.11 to 29.29, P = .233),postoperative hemoglobin decline (WMD = 0.16, 95% CI: -2.5 to 2.82, P = .905), transfusion volume (WMD = 79.19, 95% CI: -5.05 to 163.44, P = .065),transfusion rates (relative risk [RR] = 1.19, 95% CI: 0.95-1.50, P = .134), major complications (RR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.15-1.73, P = .278), and deep vein thrombosis (RR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.14-1.37, P = .157).Compared with the group of releasing tourniquet after wound closure, the group of releasing tourniquet before wound closure had a higher volume of total blood loss (WMD = 130.96, 95% CI: 58.83-203.09, P = .000) and a longer operation time (WMD = 6.56, 95% CI: 3.12-10.01, P = .000). However, releasing tourniquet before wound closure could reduce minor complications (RR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.34-0.82, P = .004).

CONCLUSIONS

On the basis of current meta-analysis, the method of releasing tourniquet before wound closure could increase total blood loss and operation time; nevertheless, the risk of complications decreased. Thus, if patients are in severe anemia condition, the tourniquet perhaps should be released after wound closure to decrease blood loss. In contrary, releasing tourniquet before wound closure to decrease the risk of complications would be a better choice.

Tourniquet application during anesthesia: "What we need to know?"

Tourniquets are routinely and safely used in limb surgeries throughout the world. Tourniquet application alters normal physiology. Healthy patients tolerate these physiological changes well, but the physiological changes may not be well-tolerated by patients with poor cardiac function. This review discusses the physiological changes associated with tourniquet use, safe practice and provides the latest updates regarding tourniquet use. A systematic literature search of PubMed, MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar was done. The search results were limited to the randomized controlled trials and systemic reviews. The papers are summarized in this review.

Effects of the timing of tourniquet release in cemented total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of tourniquet release before wound closure for hemostasis or after wound closure in cemented total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

METHODS

We conducted a meta-analysis and review work on relevant clinical outcomes to evaluate the effects of the timing of tourniquet release in cemented TKA. Electronic databases were searched for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared outcomes of tourniquet release before wound closure for hemostasis with tourniquet release after wound closure. The methodological quality of each included RCT was assessed in terms of the 12-item scale. The meta-analysis was performed with STATA 12.0 software.

RESULTS

Eleven RCTs involving 651 patients with 670 TKAs were included in this meta-analysis. Of these, 332 patients (342 knees) were in an early tourniquet release group and 319 patients (328 knees) in the late tourniquet release group. The results showed that there were no significant differences in overt blood loss, hemoglobin drop, and blood transfusions, whereas the tourniquet release after wound closure might increase the risks of overall complications and major complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Tourniquet release before wound closure for hemostasis might reduce the rate of complications, but it could not limit overall blood loss. The current evidences are not enough to indicate that tourniquet release before wound closure is superior to its release after wound closure in cemented TKA.

The influence of a half-course tourniquet strategy on peri-operative blood loss and early functional recovery in primary total knee arthroplasty

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to explore the influence of a half-course tourniquet strategy on the peri-operative blood loss and early functional recovery in primary total knee arthroplasty.

METHODS

A prospective clinical randomised controlled study was carried out in which 64 patients were equally divided into two groups: half-course group and whole-course group. A series of indicators were observed and recorded. These included operation time, peri-operative blood loss, visual analogue scale (VAS) score of the thigh or knee, limb swelling index, rehabilitation progress and occurrence of deep venous thrombosis cases.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in operation time between the two groups. The intra-operative blood loss was slightly more in the half-course group, while the difference was not significant. The post-operative blood loss and calculated blood loss were less in the half-course group and the difference was significant. The thigh VAS score, limb swelling and time intervals required for patients to achieve straight leg raises and 90° of knee flexion in the half-course group were better than in the whole-course group. No case of symptomatic deep venous thrombosis happened in this study, while occult incidence of deep venous thrombosis happened in both groups, but no significant difference between the groups was confirmed.

CONCLUSIONS

The half-course tourniquet strategy could decrease the total peri-operative blood loss in primary total knee arthroplasty. It was beneficial in helping patients to achieve earlier functional recovery by improving the pain experience and limb swelling early in the post-operative period.