Should tourniquets be used in upper limb surgery? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Smith, Toby O. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1673-2954 and Hing, Caroline B. (2009) Should tourniquets be used in upper limb surgery? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta orthopaedica Belgica, 75 (3). pp. 289-296. ISSN 0001-6462

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Abstract

This study compares the intra- and post-operative outcomes of upper limb orthopaedic surgical procedures performed with and without tourniquet assistance. A systematic review was undertaken assessing the electronic databases Medline, CINAHL, AMED and EMBASE. The evidence-base was critically appraised using the Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group quality assessment tool. Study heterogeneity was statistically tested using Chi2 and I2 statistics. Where appropriate a random-effects meta-analysis was undertaken to pool results of primary studies assessing mean difference of each outcome. Two studies investigating fifty-five patients undergoing upper limb surgery were identified. The limited findings suggest that the use of tourniquets may reduce the incidence of technical difficulties during upper limb surgery. It remains unclear whether the application of a tourniquet can influence pain perception or operative duration. The evidence-base was considerably limited in both size and methodological quality. Further study is recommended to address the literature's methodological weaknesses.

Item Type: Article
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Allied Health Professions (former - to 2013)
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Norwich Epidemiology Centre
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Norwich Epidemiology Centre
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Health Promotion
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Rehabilitation
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Population Health
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Depositing User: Rhiannon Harvey
Date Deposited: 06 May 2011 14:15
Last Modified: 18 Jun 2024 14:30
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/29988
DOI:

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