Use of a tourniquet in total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
BACKGROUND
A tourniquet is commonly used in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, the effectiveness and safety of tourniquets are debated. We performed this study to investigate whether patients benefit from the use of tourniquets in TKA.


METHODS
The literature search was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase, and other medical databases. After a literature search, 26 randomized controlled trials involving 1,450 knees were analyzed.


RESULTS
Tourniquet use significantly decreased intraoperative blood loss, transfusion rate, and operation time but not postoperative blood loss, measurable total blood loss, calculated total blood loss, transfusion volume, incidence of pulmonary embolism, or duration of hospital stay. It also slowed down joint functional recovery in the short term and increased the incidence of deep vein thrombosis and other minor wound complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Data from this meta-analysis indicate that patients may benefit from the use of a tourniquet in TKA; however, it use is accompanied by disadvantages and complications. Because of the very low-evidence quality and lower grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluation recommendation strength, no guidelines can be developed based on current evidence.
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, School of Medicine, No. 88 Jiefang road, Hangzhou, 310009, China.
Fang-Zhen
FZ
Jiang
Hui-Ming
HM
Zhong
Yu-Cai
YC
Hong
Guang-Feng
GF
Zhao
D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D014111:Tourniquets