Surgical tourniquets in orthopaedics

J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2009 Dec;91(12):2958-67. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.I.00634.

Abstract

Higher levels of tourniquet pressure and higher pressure gradients beneath tourniquet cuffs are associated with a higher risk of nerve-related injury. Measurement of limb occlusion pressure can help to minimize tourniquet pressure levels and pressure gradients for individual patients and individual surgical procedures. Selective use of pneumatic, wider, and contoured tourniquet cuffs reduces tourniquet pressure levels and the applied pressure gradients.

Publication types

  • Historical Article
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Equipment Design
  • Extremities / blood supply*
  • History, 19th Century
  • History, 20th Century
  • History, 21st Century
  • History, Ancient
  • Humans
  • Military Medicine
  • Orthopedic Procedures / instrumentation*
  • Pressure
  • Time Factors
  • Tourniquets* / adverse effects
  • Tourniquets* / history
  • Trauma, Nervous System / etiology*
  • Trauma, Nervous System / history