Use of a Pneumatic Tourniquet Improves Outcome Following Trans-tibial Amputation

BackgroundIt is traditionally taught that a pneumatic tourniquet is contraindicated for trans-tibial amputations in patients with peripheral arterial disease. However, tourniquets are used successfully during total knee arthroplasty in elderly patients. Vascular patients undergoing a trans-tibial amputation have a high perioperative mortality and morbidity—notably the need for wound revision or a higher amputation level. We hypothesised that a tourniquet, used during amputation, would reduce blood loss and subsequent complications without compromising healing.MethodsThis was a prospective non-randomized study of 89 adult patients who underwent a trans-tibial amputation between January 2001 and December 2003. The endpoints were: haemoglobin levels, the need for blood transfusion, perioperative morbidity, revision rate and mortality. Patients were divided into two groups: a group with a pneumatic tourniquet (n=42) and a group without (n=47).ResultsThe haemoglobin fall was 14.8% in the non-tourniquet group and 5.6% in the tourniquet group, with a higher need for transfusion in the non-tourniquet group. The revision rate was 14.3% in the tourniquet group and significantly higher in the non-tourniquet group (38.3%). Mortality was similar in both groups: 7.1% for the tourniquet and 6.4% for the non-tourniquet group.ConclusionThe use of a pneumatic tourniquet is safe and significantly reduces both blood loss and transfusion requirements during trans-tibial amputation. A pneumatic tourniquet reduces revision rates by over 50%, with subsequent cost savings.