Safety of Tourniquet Use in Difficult Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Comparative Study

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the outcomes of performing difficult primary TKA with and without tourniquet. Background: Tourniquet use has been widely employed in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), yet its outcomes are a subject of debate. Methods: Patients with difficult primary TKA without tourniquet (NT group) and with tourniquet (T group). A review of patients' records was conducted to collect demographic data, hemoglobin (Hb) levels, range of motion (ROM), operating room time, operative time, drain output, need for blood transfusion, hospital stay, and postoperative complications. Functional results were evaluated with the Oxford Knee Score (OKS) and the Knee Society Score (KSS). Results: The study included 76 patients in the NT group and 83 patients in the T group. The mean age, sex, body mass index (BMI), preoperative Hb, range of motion (ROM), OKS, and KSS scores were comparable in the two groups. The operating room time and operative time were significantly shorter in the NT group, P