Optimizing Tourniquet Pressure in Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty: Limb Occlusion Pressure vs Systolic Blood Pressure Method: A Randomised Controlled Study.

Riassunto dello studio

Three hundred and eleven patients with degenerative knee osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis scheduled for primary total knee arthroplasty were randomized to receive either the limb occlusion pressure (LOP) method (n=154) or the systolic blood pressure (SBP) method (n=157) for determining tourniquet pressure. The primary outcome of interest was post-operative thigh pain. Secondary outcomes included knee range of motion (ROM), blood loss, wound complications, and the quality of the bloodless surgical field. Outcomes were assessed from postoperative days 1 to 3 and at six weeks. Overall, the study revealed that the LOP method required lower tourniquet pressures and resulted in significantly less post-operative thigh pain with better early postoperative knee ROM. The findings suggest that the LOP method optimizes tourniquet management, enhancing recovery after surgery.