
3
•Prolonged tourniquet timecan alsoproduce changesinthe coagulability ofthe blood with increased
clotting time. Alwaysminimize tourniquet time.
•Tourniquet paralysismay resultfromexcessivepressure. Insufficient pressure may resultinpassive
congestion ofthe limbwith possibleirreversiblefunctionalloss.Alwaysusethe minimumeffective
tourniquet pressure, asdescribed in the medicalliterature.
•Inflation should be done rapidly to occlude arteriesand veinsasnear simultaneously aspossible.
•Carefuland complete exsanguination reportedlyprolongspain-free tourniquet timeand improvesthe
quality ofIntravenousRegionalAnesthesia(Bier Block anesthesia). In the presence ofinfection and
painfulfractures,after the patient hasbeen inacast, and inamputationsdue to malignant tumors,
exsanguination before tourniquet application may be done without the useofan elasticbandage by
elevating the limb for 3 to 5 minutes.
•In caseoffailure, the tourniquet cuff mustbe fullydeflated and the limbexsanguinated againbefore
reinflation. Reinflation over blood-filled vasculature may lead to intravascular thrombosis.
•Tourniquet usersmustbe familiar with the inflation-deflation sequence when using twotourniquet
cuffsand twoP.T.S. unitstogether for IVRA (Bier Block anesthesia), sothat the wrong tourniquet will
not be released accidentally.
•Testfor hemoglobintype and levelbefore using atourniquet on patientswith sickle-cell anemia.
When the tourniquet isused for thesepatients,the limbshouldbe carefullyexsanguinated and the
PO2and pH should be closely monitored.
•Select the proper cuff size to allowfor the overlap recommended by the cuff manufacturer. Too
much or too littleoverlap may causecuff rolling and telescoping, unexpected releaseof the cuff from
the limb, inability to maintainabloodless fieldat normalpressures,and/or undesired pressure
distribution on the limb.
•The skinunder the tourniquet cuff mustbe protected frommechanicalinjury by smooth, wrinkle-free
application ofthe cuff.Ifthe tourniquet cuff isapplied over any materialthat may shed loosefibers
(such asWebril)the fibersmay becomeembedded inthe contact closuresand reduce their
effectiveness. Followthe cuff manufacturer’srecommendationsfor limb protection materialunder the
cuff.In general,alimbprotection sleevedesigned specificallyfor the cuff providesthe best
protection.
•Ifskinpreparationsare used preoperatively, they shouldnot be allowed to flownor collect under the
cuff where they may cause chemicalburns.
•Whenever the tourniquet cuff pressure isreleased, the wound should be protected fromblood surging
back by applying pressure dressingsand, ifnecessary, elevating the limb. Transient painupon
tourniquet pressure releasecan be lessened by elevation ofthe limb. Iffull color doesnot return
within 3 to 4 minutesafter release, the limb should be placed in a position slightly belowbody level.
•The deflated cuff and any underlying limb protection material should be completely removed
as soon as tourniquet pressure is released. After the cuff has been fully deflated and removed
from the patient, the unit can be set to STANDBY. Even the slightest impedance of venous
return may lead to congestion and pooling of blood in the operative field.
•Whenever IVRA (Bier Block anesthesia) isused, itisrecommended that the tourniquet remain
inflated for at least 20 minutesfromthe time ofinjection.
1.4 ADVERSE EFFECTS
Adull aching pain(tourniquet pain) may develop throughout the limbfollowing use. Stiffness,weakness,
reactive hyperemia, & skin discolouration may also occur to some degree in all patientsafter tourniquet use.
Pathophysiologicchangesdue to pressure, hypoxia, hypercarbia, and acidosisofthe tissuesoccur and
become significant after about 1 1/2 hoursoftourniquet use.
Symptomsoftourniquet paralysisare motor paralysisand loss ofsense oftouch, pressure, and proprioceptive
responses.
Intraoperative bleeding may be caused by:
•The slight impeding effect exerted by an unpressurized cuff (and itslimbprotection materialor
padding, ifused), which preventsvenousreturn at the beginning ofthe operation,
•Blood remaining in the limb because ofinsufficient exsanguination,
•Inadequate tourniquet pressure, or slowinflation and deflation, all ifwhich allowarterialblood to enter
while preventing venousreturn,
•Blood entering through the nutrient vesselsofthe long bones, such asthe femur or humerus.