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Published in: Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery 8/2007

01-10-2007 | Orthopaedic Surgery

Effect of tourniquet application on deep vein thrombosis after total knee arthroplasty

Authors: Aki Fukuda, Masahiro Hasegawa, Ko Kato, Dequan Shi, Akihiro Sudo, Atsumasa Uchida

Published in: Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery | Issue 8/2007

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Abstract

Introduction

There is a great deal of controversy about the effect of tourniquets on development of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Patients and methods

We investigated the incidence of postoperative DVT after TKA with or without the use of a tourniquet. The patients were 48 consecutive patients undergoing primary ipsilateral cemented TKA for osteoarthritis. Group A (21 patients) underwent the operation without a tourniquet, and Group B (27 patients) underwent the operation with a tourniquet. Ultrasonography to assess DVT was performed before and after the operation.

Results

Group B had less intraoperative and total blood loss than Group A. Postoperative DVT was detected in 81.3% of all cases, and symptomatic pulmonary embolism occurred in 1.7%. Most of DVT was found in the calf vein. There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative DVT between the two groups.

Conclusion

We conclude that the use of a tourniquet is beneficial, because it decreases perioperative blood loss and does not increase the risk of DVT. The incidence of DVT after TKA is considerably high with or without use of a tourniquet. Therefore, prevention and early detection of DVT are important for prevention of fatal pulmonary thromboembolism.
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Metadata
Title
Effect of tourniquet application on deep vein thrombosis after total knee arthroplasty
Authors
Aki Fukuda
Masahiro Hasegawa
Ko Kato
Dequan Shi
Akihiro Sudo
Atsumasa Uchida
Publication date
01-10-2007
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery / Issue 8/2007
Print ISSN: 0936-8051
Electronic ISSN: 1434-3916
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-006-0244-0

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