The Influence of Usage of Tourniquet in Total Knee Arthroplasty on Serum Ischemia Modified Albumin Levels

Abstract

Objective:Ischaemia-modified albumin (IMA) has frequently been studied in recent years in ischaemia-based studies. In this study, IMA changes and postoperative pain were investigated in patients who underwent tourniquet and non-tourniquet knee arthroplasty, and the effect of the tourniquet on pain was investigated quantitatively.Methods:After obtaining institutional review board approval, 64 patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty were divided into two groups: tourniquet and non-tourniquet using the block randomisation technique. Blood was collected at the 15th minute and 24th hour postoperatively. A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used by patients to evaluate their pain.Results:According to the results, a significant correlation was found between VAS scores and IMA levels in the blood taken at the postoperative 15th minute (p<0.001). In addition, IMA levels were significantly higher in the tourniquet group (p<0.001).Conclusion:Less frequent loss of quadriceps muscle strength, less postoperative pain and avoidance of ischaemia-related complications are the main advantages of non-tourniquet knee arthroplasty. IMA is effective in demonstrating these advantages and can be used for problems such as compartment syndrome, which may be accompanied by muscle damage in the extremity.

Keywords

• ischemia modified albumin
• knee arthroplasty
• tourniquet