The Effect of Intraoperative Tourniquet Deflation in Total Knee Arthroplasty

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of tourniquet deflation for hemostasis on postoperative blood loss in total knee arthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The tourniquet was deflated intraoperatively before prosthesis insertion, hemostasis was established, and the tourniquet was reinflated before wound closure for 41 patients(Group I) and the tourniquet was not released until after the wound was closed in 46 patients(Group II). The postoperative blood loss was determined by measuring it in the suction drainage during first 24 hours and total blood loss was calculated from the decline in hematocrit. RESULTS: The measured blood loss during first 24 hours for group I averaged 1096 ml, while that for Group II averaged 1036 ml. Total blood loss including hidden blood loss for group I averaged 1639 ml, while that for Group II averaged 1593 ml. CONCLUSION: Tourniquet deflation for hemostasis in primary total knee arthroplasty is not an effective means of reducing postoperative blood loss.