TOURNIQUET USE DOES NOT AFFECT BLEEDING AND SURGICAL TIME IN ROBOTIC-ASSISTED KNEE ARTHROPLASTY.

OBJECTIVE: To compare bleeding and surgical time in patients undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) with robotic assistance with and without the use of a tourniquet. METHODS: Retrospective study with analysis of medical records. Patients were divided into two groups: one group in which robotic-assisted TKA was performed using a tourniquet and the other without. The values of hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Ht) preoperative and 24 hours after surgery, the estimated blood loss, number of transfusions and surgical time were compared between the groups. RESULTS: 108 patients were included, with 59 in the group using a tourniquet and 49 without. There was no difference between the mean Hb and Ht values between the groups preoperatively (p = 0.287 and p = 0.508) and 24 hours (p = 0.252) after surgery. There was also no difference between the estimated blood loss in each group (p = 0.265). Surgical time was not different between groups (p = 0.179). There was no need for transfusions in any patient. CONCLUSION: Robotic-assisted TKA surgeries, whether performed with or without a tourniquet, showed no significant differences in the drop in Hb and Ht levels 24 hours after surgery, estimated blood loss, transfusions, and surgical time. Level of Evidence III; Retrospective cohort study.