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

  • Orthopaedic Surgery
  • Published:
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

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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Acknowledgments

I confirm that all authors have seen and agree with the contents of the manuscript and agree that the work has not been submitted or published elsewhere in whole or in part. Each author certifies that his institution has approved the human protocol for this investigation were and that all investigations were conducted in conformity with ethical principles of research, and that informed consent was obtained. Each author certifies that he has no commercial associations that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with submitted article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Mie University Faculty of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu city, Mie, 514-8507, Japan

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

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  1. Aki Fukuda
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  2. Masahiro Hasegawa
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  3. Ko Kato
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  4. Dequan Shi
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  6. Atsumasa Uchida
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Correspondence to Aki Fukuda.

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Fukuda, A., Hasegawa, M., Kato, K. et al. Effect of tourniquet application on deep vein thrombosis after total knee arthroplasty. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 127, 671–675 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-006-0244-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-006-0244-0

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