Authors

• Alireza Saied, MD
• Seyed Masood Moddarressi, MD طModdarressi, MD

Abstract

Background: Use of Tourniquet in orthopaedics, to produce a bloodless field, is mainly for the comfort of the surgeon. It is, however, associated with potential dangers. This study was performed to assess the effects of tourniquet use on patients’ and surgeons’ comfort when plating tibial fractures.Methods: 138 patients with acute extraarticular tibia fractures were randomized into “tourniquet” and no "no tourniquet" groups. Postoperatively patients' pain, the amount of blood drainage, time to complete bony :::union:::, development of infection and non:::union::: was compared between the two groups in a minimum one year follow-up.Results: 73 cases who were in “no tourniquet” group had significantly less bloold drainage, and less postoperative pain in the first 24 hours. The surgical time was however shorter in 65 patients that had tourniquet. The :::union::: or infection rates showed no difference.Conclusion: Avoidance of tourniquet use does not decrease the time to :::union::: or the infection rate after plating of tibia fractures, but is associated with a decrease in pain perception by the patient in the early postoperative period.

Keywords

• Tourniquets
• Tibial Fractures
• Fracture Fixation, Internal
• Pain