Finding the Sweet Spot: A Mixed-Effects Analysis of Four Tourniquet Strategies and Blood Conservation in 15,394 Primary Total Knee Arthroplasties.

BACKGROUND

Tourniquet use in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains variable, and its effect on perioperative blood loss in the era of tranexamic acid is debated. This study compared four contemporary tourniquet strategies and their associations with hemoglobin drop, calculated blood loss, and transfusion risk.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 15,394 primary TKAs performed from 2019 to 2023 at a high-volume academic center. Tourniquet use was categorized as follows: no-tourniquet, selective use during cementation only, incision-to-cementation (reference), or incision-to-closure. Outcomes included perioperative hemoglobin (Hgb) drop, calculated blood loss using Nadler and Mercuriali's equations, and postoperative transfusion. Mixed-effects linear and logistic regression models quantified associations after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, surgical time, Charlson Comorbidity Index, fixation method, preoperative hemoglobin, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, and postoperative venous thromboembolism prophylaxis, with surgeon as a random intercept.

RESULTS

Compared with incision-to-cementation, the no-tourniquet group experienced a greater Hgb drop (+0.46 g/dL; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.38 to 0.54; P < 0.001) and the highest median calculated blood loss (785 mL), with an adjusted increase of +211.3 mL (95% CI 169.8 to 252.7; P < 0.001). Selective tourniquet use was associated with a smaller, but significant increase in Hgb drop (+0.13 g/dL; P < 0.001). Incision-to-closure did not significantly differ. Transfusion was uncommon, but more frequent in the no-tourniquet group, with three times the adjusted odds compared with incision-to-cementation (odds ratio 3.05; 95% CI 1.72 to 5.41; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Forgoing a tourniquet was associated with increased blood loss and higher odds of transfusion, though the absolute effect was modest in the contemporary tranexamic acid era (number needed to treat approximately 250 to prevent one transfusion). Tourniquet use from incision-to-cementation demonstrated the most favorable blood conservation profile; selective use performed similarly. These findings support a tailored approach to tourniquet use in TKA.