Frequently Asked Questions

1.) What is the best way to determine the lowest effective tourniquet pressure?

Refer to article What is Tourniquet "Limb Occlusion Pressure" (LOP)? and Setting Tourniquet Pressure Based on Limb Occlusion Pressure (LOP)

2.) What is a good protocol or clinical practice guideline concerning the use of tourniquets for IVRA or Bier-block anesthesia?

Refer to Recommended Protocol for IVRA

3.) For pediatric patients, what is a good protocol to follow?

Refer to Proposed Clinical Practice Guidelines for Pediatric Tourniquets

4.) Should a soft bandage (such as stockinet or webril) be applied to the limb at the cuff site?

Refer to the following two studies:

Tredwell SJ, Wilmink M, Inkpen K, and McEwen JA: 'Pediatric tourniquets: Analysis of cuff/limb interface, current practice, and guideline for use' Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics 21(5): 671-6 (Sept-Oct 2001)

McEwen JA and Inkpen K: 'Tourniquet safety: Preventing skin injuries.' The Surgical Technologist 34(8) (Aug 2002): 6 - 15.

View Abstracts

5.) Should a tourniquet be used on a patient who has a prior femoral-popliteal bypass?

Refer to the first abstract in the Tourniquet-Related Hazard Reports from the Published Literature Jan 1990 - Feb 1998 or to the following journal article:

Kumar SN, Chapman JA, Rawlins I. Vascular Injuries in Total Knee Arthrosplasty. A Review of the Problem with Special Reference to the Possible Effects of the Tourniquet. J of Arth 1998 Feb; 13(2): 211-6

6.) For patients having large and obese thighs, what types of cuffs are used, how are they to be applied, and how are tourniquet pressure settings estimated?

Refer to Proposed Clinical Practice Guidelines for Extra-Large Circumference Tourniquets

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