BackgroundThe aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of tourniquet
release before wound closure for hemostasis or after wound closure in cemented
total knee arthroplasty (TKA).MethodsWe conducted a meta-analysis and review work on relevant clinical
outcomes to evaluate the effects of the timing of tourniquet release in cemented
TKA. Electronic databases were searched for relevant randomized controlled trials
(RCTs) that compared outcomes of tourniquet release before wound closure for
hemostasis with tourniquet release after wound closure. The methodological quality
of each included RCT was assessed in terms of the 12-item scale. The meta-analysis
was performed with STATA 12.0 software.ResultsEleven RCTs involving 651 patients with 670 TKAs were included in
this meta-analysis. Of these, 332 patients (342 knees) were in an early tourniquet
release group and 319 patients (328 knees) in the late tourniquet release group.
The results showed that there were no significant differences in overt blood loss,
hemoglobin drop, and blood transfusions, whereas the tourniquet release after
wound closure might increase the risks of overall complications and major
complications.ConclusionsTourniquet release before wound closure for hemostasis might reduce
the rate of complications, but it could not limit overall blood loss. The current
evidences are not enough to indicate that tourniquet release before wound closure
is superior to its release after wound closure in cemented TKA.