ABSTRACT

Aim: To compare the tourniquet vs tumescent techniques for contracture release in children.

Study design: Randomized controlled trial.

Place and duration of study: Department of Plastic Surgery, Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan during 01-04-2018 to 31-03-2019.

Methods: In this study the cases of both genders age age more than 5 years having burn related contractures of the hands lasting more than 1 year were included. Then these cases were divided into two groups. The cases in group A underwent surgery with the help of Tourniquet and those in group B required drug induced tumescenceby using epinephrine in a dose of 1:100000 dilutions. These cases were then operated for standard contracture release process and were assessed for mean per operative time and mean pain score.

Results:In this study there were total 60 cases (30 in each group). The mean age in group A and B was 6.97±3.41 vs 7.04±3.31 years (p= 0.78). There were 19 (63.33%) males in group A and 17 (56.67%) males in group B with p= 0.58. Mean operative time in group A and B was 35.97±14.31 vs 32.89±11.73 minutes with p= 0.23. Mean post operative pain was significantly higher in tourniquet group and was 4.47±2.13 vs 2.01±0.89 in Tumescent group with p= 0.01.

Conclusion: Tumescent group is significantly better for contracture release in terms of post operative pain than tourniquet group.

Key words: Contracture, Tourniquet, Tumescence