The Effects of Timing of Tourniquet Release on Blood Loss in Navigation Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty / 대한정형외과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of timing of tourniquet release on blood loss in navigation assisted total knee arthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 63 consecutive patients, who underwent navigation assisted total knee arthroplasty, were divided into two groups; 31 patients (31 knees, group I) were operated with tourniquet release after wound closure and applied compression dressing, and another 32 patients (32 knees, group II) were operated with tourniquet release and hemostasis before implantation of the polyethylene insert. We examined hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit at three points in time, preoperatively, 24 hours and 48 hours postoperatively. We compared the two groups of patients in terms of total blood loss, postoperative drained blood loss, hidden blood loss, visible blood loss and operation time. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups in the hemoglobin concentration at 24 hours and 48 hours postoperatively (p=0.371, p=0.247), and hematocrit at 24 hours and 48 hours postoperatively (p=0.428, p=0.125). No statistically significant differences between the two groups in the postoperative drained blood loss (p=0.381) and total blood loss (p=0.126) were found. We found statistically significant differences in the visible blood loss (p=0.023), hidden blood loss (p=0.045) and operation time (p=0.005). CONCLUSION: The releasing time of tourniquet have no effect on the actual total blood loss, and postoperative drained blood loss in navigation assisted total knee arthroplasty. We concluded that compared with intraoperative tourniquet release, postoperative tourniquet release are useful for making the broader operation field and less operation time.