[Observation of hemostatic effect of equilibrium pressure pneumatic tourniquet in internal fixation of bilateral tibia and fibula fracture].

OBJECTIVE

To compare the hemostatic effects and tourniquet induced side reactions of 2 different tourniquets in internal fixation of bilateral tibia and fibula fracture.

METHODS

Between May 2008 and May 2010, 21 patients with bilateral tibia and fibula fracture were treated and randomly divided into 2 groups according to left and right limbs. When steel plate fixation was performed, equilibrium pressure pneumatic tourniquet (EPPT group) and common tourniquet (common group) were used to staunch the flow of blood respectively. The time of using tourniquet was 60 minutes, and the hemostatic pressure was 50 kPa. There were 12 males and 9 females with an age range of 17 to 58 years (mean, 32.5 years). Injury was caused by traffic accident in 9 patients, by heavy pound in 6 patients, and falling from height in 6 patients. According to X-ray classification, there were 15 cases of simple type, 3 cases of butterfly type, and 3 cases of comminuted type in EPPT group; there were 13 cases of simple type, 5 cases of butterfly type, and 3 cases of comminuted type in common group. The time from injury to operation was 3 to 72 hours (mean, 37.5 hours).

RESULTS

The time of using tourniquet was (95.30 +/- 4.19) minutes in EPPT group and (94.11 +/- 5.16) minutes in common group, showing no significant difference (P > 0.05). All the incision of 2 groups healed by first intension. After 2 weeks of operation in common group, peroneal nerve injury occurred in 3 cases, and was cured by supporting nerve for 3 months; blister occurred in 1 case and was cured after dressing change for 3 weeks; and the injury rate was 19%. No complication occurred in EPPT group with an injury rate of 0. There was significant difference in the injury rate between 2 groups (P < 0.05). The hemostatic effects were excellent in 19 cases and good in 2 cases of EPPT group, were excellent in 10 cases, good in 3 cases, and poor in 8 cases of common group; the excellent and good rate were 100% and 61.9% respectively, showing significant difference (P < 0.05). All patients were followed up 3-24 months. Fracture healed without nonunion and deformity union in 2 groups.

CONCLUSION

Comparing to common tourniquet, the EPPT can provide good bloodless field, lower hemostatic pressure, and less tourniquet complication.