PURPOSE

There is a lack of data evaluating the impact of tourniquet versus no tourniquet surgery in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD).

METHODS

The records of 233 sickle cell patients who underwent orthopaedic surgery with a tourniquet between 1978 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. This study group (233 patients) was compared to a control group of 574 SCD patients followed by the same surgical team in the same hospital undergoing the same procedures in the same period between 1978 and 2018 but without a tourniquet. Outcomes assessed skin complications, thrombophlebitis, bone necrosis, muscle necrosis or abnormal muscle function, peripheral nerve impairment, elevated blood pressure, post-operative sickle cell crises, and blood loss under a tourniquet.

RESULTS

The pneumatic tourniquet was primarily applied proximally in both lower and upper limbs. The median tourniquet duration was 65 minutes, with most procedures lasting between 30 and 90 minutes . Postoperative medical complications occurred in both groups, with no significant difference in hospital stay (6.7 vs. 7.1 days). Painful sickling crises affected 86 patients, with a lower prevalence in transfused patients (p = 0.04). Blood loss was significantly lower in the tourniquet group during knee surgeries (438 ml vs. 731 ml, p = 0.031), resulting in fewer transfusions. Skin complications did not affect wound healing. The 90-day incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) was 0.4%, with no significant difference between groups. Muscle biopsies showed no necrosis immediately post-surgery, but some necrosis appeared after 12 weeks in the tourniquet group. New bone osteonecrosis cases and infection rates were similar between groups.

CONCLUSION

this study provides valuable insights into the use of tourniquets in sickle cell disease.