EFFECTS OF TOURNIQUET DURING TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY - A PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED STUDY

The effects of using a tourniquet during total knee arthroplasty were studied in 80 patients randomly allocated to two groups, either with o r without a tourniquet. The groups were similar in mean age, gender, p reoperative knee score and radiographic grading and the patients were all operated on by the same surgeon using one type of prosthesis. Ther e was no significant difference between the two groups in operating ti me or total blood loss but postoperative pain was less in the patients in whom a tourniquet had not been used, They achieved straight-leg ra ising and knee flexion earlier and had fewer superficial wound infecti ons and deep-vein thromboses. Total knee arthroplasty can be safely pe rformed without the use of the tourniquet with the benefit that severa l adverse effects associated with its use can be avoided,