Effects of tourniquet application on enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) and ischemia-reperfusion post-total knee arthroplasty: Full- versus second half-course application

Purpose: Pneumatic tourniquets are used in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for surgical field visualization and improved cementation; however, their use is controversial. This study aimed to assess the effects of tourniquet application on enhanced recovery post-TKA. Methods: A prospective randomized single-blinded trial assessed tourniquet’s effects on postoperative pain, swelling, and early outcome in TKA. One-hundred and two patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomized to full-course (FC) and second half-course (SHC) application ( n = 51/group). Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), C-C motif chemokine ligand 2(CCL-2), pentraxin-3 (PTX-3), prostaglandin E-2 (PGE-2), superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD-1), and myoglobin (Mb) were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, while the visual analog scale (VAS), range of motion (ROM), and thigh circumference growth rate were recorded. Results: Average tourniquet duration significantly differed between the SHC (37.5 ± 5.1 min) and FC (66.4 ± 7.2 min) groups ( p < 0.01); VAS and thigh circumference growth rate in the SHC group were much lower compared with the FC group, while ROM was higher within 48 h of tourniquet removal ( p < 0.01). Blood TNF-α, PTX3, CCL2, PGE2, SOD-1, and Mb were lower in the SHC group than the FC group ( p < 0.01). Additionally, intraoperative blood loss was significantly elevated in the SHC group than the FC group ( p < 0.01), with lower postoperative blood loss in the drain ( p = 0.001). Postoperative drainage volume was reduced in the SHC group compared with the FC group ( p < 0.01); five and two patients in the FC and SHC groups required blood transfusion, respectively ( p = 0.025). Hospital stay tended to be shorter in the SHC group ( p = 0.023), and no tourniquet-related complications were recorded. Conclusion: Improved therapeutic outcome was observed in the SHC group, indicating patients should routinely undergo TKA with SHC tourniquet application.