Efficacy of Tourniquet Use in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Cohort Review

Background The use of a tourniquet has become widely accepted as standard practice during total knee arthroplasty (TKA). There are conflicting outcomes in using a tourniquet during TKA. This brings to question the role a tourniquet has in TKA. Therefore, we conducted a retrospective cohort study to examine the effects of TKA with and without the use of a tourniquet. Methods A total of 120 patients (n = 60 underwent TKA with tourniquet and n = 60 underwent TKA without tourniquet) were included in this study. Patient medical records were retrospectively reviewed for preoperative and postoperative data. The Gross formula, a validated formula for calculating blood loss, was used to calculate each patient's total blood loss. Statistical analysis was performed using independent t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and/or chi-square tests. Significance was determined using an alpha level of P < .05. Results There was no statistically significant difference ( P = .49) in the amount of total blood loss between patients undergoing TKA with a tourniquet and those without (199.6 ± 92.2 mL vs 211.1 ± 88.1 mL, respectively). However, there were statistically significant differences in the operating room time ( P = .005), surgery time ( P = .008), and functional return of postoperative straight leg raise ( P < .001) between groups. Conclusions This study supports existing evidence that tourniquet use during TKA does not significantly alter blood loss and presents evidence that using a tourniquet during TKA may add additional cost and increase surgical time without benefit.