Tourniquets in arterial bypass surgery.
BACKGROUND
successful infra-popliteal bypass depends on precise, atraumatic technique in performing the distal anastomosis. The use of a tourniquet facilitates the distal anastomosis, reducing dissection, avoiding traumatising clamping of the vessels and providing an "uncluttered" operating field. Despite these advantages the technique is under-used.


OBJECTIVE
to review the use of tourniquets in arterial reconstruction, with particular reference to safety issues and complications. DESIGN, METHODS AND MATERIALS: a Medline search was performed (last search Feb. 2000), and keywords from relevant papers were used to perform subsequent searches. References were reviewed from each relevant paper.


RESULTS
no randomised controlled trials were found. The review details reported use of tourniquets in arterial reconstruction, including techniques, outcomes and potential complications.


CONCLUSIONS
the use of a tourniquet is a safe and effective technique to facilitate arterial reconstruction.
Eyers
P
P
Vascular Surgical Unit, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, U.K.
Ashley
S
S
Scott
D J
DJ
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D003250:Constriction; D004691:Endarterectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D012449:Safety; D014111:Tourniquets / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends