The Tourniquet Gap: A Pilot Study of the Intuitive Placement of Three Tourniquet Types by Laypersons.

BACKGROUND: The "Stop the Bleed" campaign in the United States advocates for nonmedical personnel to be trained in basic hemorrhage control and that "bleeding control kits" be available in high-risk areas. However, it is not clear which tourniquets are most effective in the hands of laypersons. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this pilot study was to determine which tourniquet type was the most intuitive for a layperson to apply correctly. METHODS: This project is a randomized study derived from a "Stop the Bleed" education initiative conducted between September 2016 and March 2017. Novice tourniquet users were randomized to apply one of three commercially available tourniquets (Combat Action Tourniquet [CAT; North American Rescue, LLC, Greer, SC], Ratcheting Medical Tourniquet [RMT; m2 Inc., Winooski, VT], or Stretch Wrap and Tuck Tourniquet [SWAT-T; TEMS Solutions, LLC, Salida, CO]) in a controlled setting. Individuals with formal medical certification, prior military service, or prior training with tourniquets were excluded. The primary outcome of this study was successful tourniquet placement. RESULTS: Of 236 possible participants, 198 met the eligibility criteria. Demographics were similar across groups. The rates of successful tourniquet application for the CAT, RMT, and SWAT-T were 16.9%, 23.4%, and 10.6%, respectively (p = 0.149). The most common causes of application failure were: inadequate tightness (74.1%), improper placement technique (44.4%), and incorrect positioning (16.7%). CONCLUSION: Our pilot study on the intuitive nature of applying commercially available tourniquets found unacceptably high rates of failure. Large-scale community education efforts and manufacturer improvements of tourniquet usability by the lay public must be made before the widespread dissemination of tourniquets will have a significant public health effect.

Tourniquet use by security officers.

The need for equipping healthcare security officers with tourniquets may seem far-fetched, but it is not, according to the author, because such officers in their role of first responders may well face situations where they have to administer such first aid to save lives and limbs. In this article, he describes how training in tourniquet use by officers can be given.

Performance of Junctional Tourniquets in Normal Human Volunteers.

BACKGROUND: Inguinal bleeding is a common and preventable cause of death on the battlefield. Four FDA-cleared junctional tourniquets (Combat Ready Clamp [CRoC], Abdominal Aortic and Junctional Tourniquet [AAJT], Junctional Emergency Treatment Tool [JETT], and SAM Junctional Tourniquet [SJT]) were assessed in a laboratory on volunteers in order to describe differential performance of models. OBJECTIVE: To examine safety and effectiveness of junctional tourniquets in order to inform the discussions of device selection for possible fielding to military units. METHODS: The experiment measured safety and effectiveness parameters over timed, repeated applications. Lower extremity pulses were measured in 10 volunteers before and after junctional tourniquet application aimed at stopping the distal pulse assessed by Doppler auscultation. Safety was determined as the absence of adverse events during the time of application. RESULTS: The CRoC, SJT, and JETT were most effective; their effectiveness did not differ (p > 0.05). All tourniquets were applied safely and successfully in at least one instance each, but pain varied by model. Subjects assessed the CRoC as most tolerable. The CRoC and SJT were the fastest to apply. Users ranked CRoC and SJT equally as performing best. CONCLUSION: The CRoC and SJT were the best-performing junctional tourniquets using this model.

Which Improvised Tourniquet Windlasses Work Well and Which Ones Won't?

OBJECTIVE: Improvised tourniquets in first aid are recommended when no scientifically designed tourniquet is available. Windlasses for mechanical advantage can be a stick or pencil and can be used singly or multiply in tightening a tourniquet band, but currently there is an absence of empiric knowledge of how well such windlasses work. The purpose of the present study was to determine the performance of improvised tourniquets in their use by the type and number of windlasses to improve tourniquet practice. METHODS: A simulated Leg Tourniquet Trainer was used as a manikin thigh to test the effectiveness of improvised tourniquets of a band-and-windlass design. Two users made 20 tests each with 3 types of windlasses. Tests started with 1 representative of a given type (eg, 1 pencil), then continued with increasing numbers of each windlass type until the user reached 100% effectiveness as determined by cessation of simulated blood flow. Windlass types included chopsticks, pencils, and craft sticks. RESULTS: Effectiveness percentages in stopping bleeding were associated inversely with breakage percentages. Pulse stoppage percentages were associated inversely with breakage. The windlass turn numbers, time to stop bleeding, the number of windlasses, and the under-tourniquet pressure were associated inversely with breakage. The windlass type was associated with breakage; at 2 windlasses, only chopsticks were without breakage. Of those windlass types that broke, 20.7% were chopsticks, 26.1% were pencils, and 53.2% were craft sticks. CONCLUSIONS: A pair of chopsticks as an improvised tourniquet windlass worked better than pencils or craft sticks.

An evidence-based prehospital guideline for external hemorrhage control: American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma.

This report describes the development of an evidence-based guideline for external hemorrhage control in the prehospital setting. This project included a systematic review of the literature regarding the use of tourniquets and hemostatic agents for management of life-threatening extremity and junctional hemorrhage. Using the GRADE methodology to define the key clinical questions, an expert panel then reviewed the results of the literature review, established the quality of the evidence and made recommendations for EMS care. A clinical care guideline is proposed for adoption by EMS systems. Key words: tourniquet; hemostatic agents; external hemorrhage.

Chapter 9 prehospital tourniquets: review, recommendations, and future research.

The tourniquet is a simple device that has been used since the Middle Ages. Although different variations have been designed throughout its history, the simplicity of design has remained. The history of tourniquets follows two distinct paths--the operating room and the prehospital setting. From the earliest recorded history, tourniquets have been used for surgical procedures which were originally to amputate war-ravaged limbs and then to create a bloodless field for routine limb surgery. This history has continued uninterrupted since the early 1900s with continued research to foster advances in knowledge. The history of tourniquets in the prehospital setting, however, has not progressed as smoothly. The debate regarding the use of a tourniquet to save a life from excessive limb hemorrhage began in the 1600s, and continues to this day. This chapter will explore the prehospital use of tourniquets, which may shed some light on where this debate originated. The current state of the knowledge regarding tourniquets will then be discussed with a focus on prehospital use, using the operating room literature when needed to fill knowledge gaps. The chapter will conclude with recommendations for prehospital tourniquet use and some areas for future research. Tourniquets are used for operative procedures within accepted clinical guidelines throughout the world as the standard of care. Current science supports a similar stance for the use of prehospital tourniquets within clinical guidelines.

Safety and efficacy of a new tourniquet system.

BACKGROUND: In upper limb surgery, the pneumatic tourniquet is an essential tool to provide a clean, bloodless surgical field, improving visualization of anatomical structures and preventing iatrogenic failure. Optimal inflation pressure to accomplish these objects without injuring normal tissue and inducing complications is not yet established. Use of the minimum tourniquet pressure necessary to produce a bloodless surgical field is preferable in order to prevent injury to normal tissue. Various methods have been implemented in an effort to lower effective cuff pressure. The purpose of this study is to report clinical experience with a new tourniquet system in which pressure is synchronized with systolic blood pressure (SBP) using a vital information monitor. METHODS: We routinely used the tourniquet system in 120 consecutive upper limb surgeries performed under general anaesthesia in our operating room instead of our clinic. Cuff pressure was automatically regulated to additional 100 mmHg based on the SBP and was renewed every 2.5 minutes intervals. RESULTS: An excellent bloodless field was obtained in 119 cases, with the exception of one case of a 44-year-old woman who underwent internal screw fixation of metacarpal fracture. No complications, such as compartment syndrome, deep vein disorder, skin disorder, paresis, or nerve damage, occurred during or after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: This new tourniquet system, synchronized with SBP, can be varied to correspond with sharp rises or drops in SBP to supply adequate pressure. The system reduces labor needed to deflate and re-inflate to achieve different pressures. It also seemed to contribute to the safety in upper limb surgery, in spite of rare unexpected oozing mid-surgery, by reducing tissue pressure.

Reusable venesection tourniquets: a potential source of hospital transmission of multiresistant organisms.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of multiresistant organism (MRO) colonisation of reusable venesection tourniquets. DESIGN AND SETTING: A prospective study in a tertiary hospital to collect and analyse reusable venesection tourniquets for the presence of MROs - methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), and extended-spectrum ß-lactamase and metallo-ß-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae - using a sensitive enrichment method. Tourniquets were collected and tested during a 10-week period between September and November 2010. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Prevalence of MRO colonisation of tourniquets. RESULTS: The overall colonisation rate of 100 tourniquets randomly collected from general wards, ambulatory care areas and critical care areas was 78%. MROs were isolated from 25 tourniquets collected from a variety of hospital locations, including general wards, the intensive care unit, burns unit and anaesthetic bay. MRSA was isolated from 14 tourniquets and VRE from 19; both MRSA and VRE were isolated from nine tourniquets. There were no microorganisms isolated from 22 tourniquets. CONCLUSION: Reusable tourniquets can be colonised with MROs and may be a potential source of transmission of MROs to hospitalised patients.

Is tactical combat casualty care in terrorist attacks suitable for civilian first responders?

INTRODUCTION: Prehospital management of intentional mass casualty incidents is a unique challenge to Emergency Medical Services. Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) and the use of tourniquets for extremity hemorrhage have already proven to reduce mortality on the battlefield. This literature review aims to determine the place of these military concepts in a civilian high-threat prehospital setting. METHODS: The PubMed database was searched for articles published between January 1, 2000, and December 1, 2019, containing descriptions, discussions, or experiences of the application of tourniquets or other TCCC-based interventions in the civilian prehospital setting. Data extraction focused on identifying important common themes in the articles. RESULTS: Of the 286 identified articles, 30 were selected for inclusion. According to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine Levels of Evidence, overall level of evidence was low. Most articles were observational, retrospective cohort studies without a nontourniquet control group. Outcome measures and variables were variably reported. Two articles specifically analyzed tourniquet use during high-threat situations, and three described their application by law enforcement personnel. Overall, tourniquets were found to be effective in stopping major limb bleeding. Reported mortality was low and related complications appeared to be infrequent. Only four articles mentioned the application of other TCCC-based maneuvers, such as airway and respiratory management. CONCLUSION: This literature review shows that tourniquets appear to be safe tools associated with few complications and might be effective in controlling major bleeding in civilian limb trauma. For example, during mass casualty incidents, their use could be justified. Training and equipping ambulance and police services to deal with massive bleeding could likewise improve interoperability and victim survival in a civilian high-threat prehospital setting. More qualitative research is needed to further evaluate the effects of hemorrhage control training for first responders on patient outcomes. Literature describing the application of other TCCC-based principles is limited, which makes it difficult to draw conclusions regarding their use in a civilian setting. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Systematic review, level III.

Managing junctional haemorrhage in the combat environment.

Tactical combat casualty care and the application of extremity tourniquets have saved lives in combat. In the modern combat environment junctional injuries are common and difficult to treat. Recently, junctional tourniquets have emerged as a potential solution to this problem. Junctional tourniquets can be used as an adjunct to persistent haemorrhage despite application of conventional tourniquets or in the persistently hypotensive casualty. Surgeons must have an approach to receiving patients with junctional tourniquets in place in the operating room. The algorithms presented allow for an evidence-based and command-driven implantation of junctional tourniquets as part of tactical combat casualty care.

Combat Application Tourniquet fares well in a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear dress state.

INTRODUCTION: There is a need for a military tourniquet to control catastrophic haemorrhage in a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) threat environment. No published data exist as to the efficacy of tourniquets while wearing British military CBRN individual protective equipment (IPE). METHODS: 12 volunteers from the counter CBRN instructors' course allowed testing on 24 legs. A Combat Application Tourniquet (C-A-T) was applied to all volunteers at the level of the midthigh. 12 legs were tested while wearing CBRN IPE (both operator and simulated casualty), and the control group of 12 legs was tested while wearing conventional combat dress state (both operator and simulated casualty). The order of leg laterality and dress state were sequenced according to a prerandomised system. Efficacy was measured via use of an ultrasound probe at the popliteal artery. Tourniquets were considered effective if arterial flow was completely occluded on ultrasound imaging. Data were collected on time to successful application, failure of tourniquets and pain scores as rated by the visual analogue scale (1-10). RESULTS: There were no failures of tourniquet application in the CBRN group, and two failures (17%) in the control group. Failures were pain threshold exceeded (n=1) and tourniquet internal strap failure (n=1). The mean application time for the CBRN group was 28.5 s (SD 11.7) and 23.7 s (SD 9.8) for the conventional combat group. There was no statistically significant difference (p=0.27). The median CBRN pain score was 2.0 (IQR 2.0-3.5). The median control pain score was 4.0 (IQR 3-6). This was a statistically significant difference (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: C-A-Ts applied to simulated casualties in CBRN IPE at the midthigh are at least as efficacious as those applied to the midthigh in a conventional combat dress state. The pain experienced was less in CBRN IPE than when in a conventional combat dress state.

Assessment of the Efficacy and Safety of a Novel, Low-Cost, Junctional Tourniquet in a Porcine Model of Hemorrhagic Shock.

INTRODUCTION: Commercially available junctional tourniquets (JTQs) have several drawbacks. We developed a low-cost, compact, easy to apply JTQ. The aim of this study was to assess the tourniquets' safety and efficacy in a swine model of controlled hemorrhage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five pigs were subjected to controlled bleeding of 35% of their blood volume. Subsequently, the JTQ was applied to the inguinal area for 180 minutes. Afterwards, the tourniquet was removed for additional 60 minutes of follow up. During the study, blood flow to both hind limbs and blood samples for tissue damage markers were repeatedly assessed. Following sacrifice, injury to both inguinal areas was evaluated microscopically and macroscopically. RESULTS: Angiography demonstrated complete occlusion of femoral artery flow, which was restored following removal of the tourniquet. No gross signs of tissue damage were noticed. Histological analysis revealed mild necrosis and infiltration of inflammatory cells. Blood tests showed a mild increase in potassium and lactic acid levels throughout the protocol. CONCLUSIONS: The tourniquet achieved effective arterial occlusion with minimal tissue damage, similar to reports of other JTQs. Subjected to further human trials, the tourniquet might be a suitable candidate for widespread frontline deployment because of its versatility, compactness, and affordable design.

Carpal Tunnel Release without a Tourniquet: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Open carpal tunnel release is commonly performed with the use of a tourniquet. The combination of local anesthetic and epinephrine with a pneumatic tourniquet helps provide clear visualization during decompression of the median nerve. There has been a rapid expansion of literature challenging the use of tourniquets in open carpal tunnel release. Consequently, the local anesthesia/no tourniquet approach has become increasingly popular. The authors evaluated the outcomes of awake open carpal tunnel release with and without a tourniquet. METHODS: The authors attempted to identify all relevant studies, regardless of language or publication status. A systematic database search for relevant studies was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, EBSCO, and CENTRAL. Included studies compared patients undergoing awake open carpal tunnel release with and without an arm or forearm tourniquet. RESULTS: Eight studies evaluating 765 patients and 866 hands were included. Open carpal tunnel release with the wide awake, local anesthesia, no tourniquet approach resulted in a 2.14 point reduction on the visual analog scale (95% CI, 1.30 to 2.98; p < 0.001). The procedure was 1.82 minutes faster with the use of a tourniquet (95% CI, -3.26 to -0.39; p = 0.01). There were no significant differences between groups in intraoperative blood loss, surgeon perceived difficulty, and complications. CONCLUSION: This systematic review found that tourniquet use causes significantly more pain with no significant clinical benefit as compared with using a wide awake, no tourniquet approach in carpal tunnel decompression.

Health professionals' practices related with tourniquet use during peripheral venipuncture: a scoping review. / Práticas relacionadas ao uso do garrote durante a punção venosa periférica: uma revisão de escopo.

OBJECTIVES: during peripheral venipuncture, health professionals are recommended to use a tourniquet above the puncture site in order to potentiate venous distension. Given its characteristics and use in clinical settings, tourniquets may represent a source of microorganism dissemination. However, the results of scientific studies in this area are scattered in the literature. This scoping review aims to map the available evidence on health professionals' practices related with tourniquet use during peripheral venipuncture and associated microbiological contamination. METHODS: scoping review following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. Two independent reviewers analyzed the relevance of the studies, extracted and synthesized data. RESULTS: fifteen studies were included in the review. Overall, tourniquets were reused without being subject to recurring decontamination processes. It has been found that practitioners share these devices among themselves and use them successively for periods between two weeks and seven and half years. CONCLUSION: nursing practices related to tourniquet use during peripheral venipuncture are not standard. Reuse of tourniquets may jeopardize the patient's safety if reprocessing (cleaning and disinfection/sterilization) is not adequate, given the type of tourniquet material and microbiota found. New studies are needed to assess the impact of various types of reprocessing practices on tourniquet decontamination and patient safety.

Effectiveness of the American College of Surgeons Bleeding Control Basic Training Among Laypeople Applying Different Tourniquet Types: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: More than 500 000 laypeople in the United States have been trained in hemorrhage control, including tourniquet application, under the Stop the Bleed campaign. However, it is unclear whether after hemorrhage control training participants become proficient in a specific type of tourniquet or can also use other tourniquets effectively. Objective: To assess whether participants completing the American College of Surgeons Bleeding Control Basic (B-Con) training with Combat Application Tourniquets (CATs) can effectively apply bleeding control principles using other tourniquet types (commercial and improvised). Design, Setting, and Participants: This nonblinded, crossover, sequential randomized clinical trial with internal control assessed a volunteer sample of laypeople who attended a B-Con course at Gillette Stadium and the Longwood Medical Area in Boston, Massachusetts, for correct application of each of 5 different tourniquet types immediately after B-Con training from April 4, 2018, to October 9, 2018. The order of application varied for each participant using randomly generated permutated blocks. Interventions: Full B-Con course, including cognitive and skill sessions, that taught bleeding care, wound pressure and packing, and CAT application. Main Outcomes and Measures: Correct tourniquet application (applied pressure of ≥250 mm Hg with a 2-minute time cap) in a simulated scenario for 3 commercial tourniquets (Special Operation Forces Tactical Tourniquet, Stretch-Wrap-and-Tuck Tourniquet, and Rapid Application Tourniquet System) and improvised tourniquet compared with correct CAT application as an internal control using 4 pairwise Bonferroni-corrected comparisons with the McNemar test. Results: A total of 102 participants (50 [49.0%] male; median [interquartile range] age, 37.5 [27.0-53.0] years) were included in the study. Participants correctly applied the CAT at a significantly higher rate (92.2%) than all other commercial tourniquet types (Special Operation Forces Tactical Tourniquet, 68.6%; Stretch-Wrap-and-Tuck Tourniquet, 11.8%; Rapid Application Tourniquet System, 11.8%) and the improvised tourniquet (32.4%) (P < .001 for each pairwise comparison). When comparing tourniquets applied correctly, all tourniquet types had higher estimated blood loss, had longer application time, and applied less pressure than the CAT. Conclusions and Relevance: The B-Con principles for correct CAT application are not fully translatable to other commercial or improvised tourniquet types. This study demonstrates a disconnect between the B-Con course and tourniquet designs available for bystander first aid, potentially stemming from the lack of consensus guidelines. These results suggest that current B-Con trainees may not be prepared to care for bleeding patients as tourniquet design evolves. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03538379.

Preliminary Investigation of Civilian Clinician Perspectives & Just-in-Time Guidance for Tourniquet Use to "Stop the Bleed".

OBJECTIVE: The American College of Surgeons (ACS) encourages clinicians to provide training to laypeople on tourniquet application. It is unclear whether clinicians are confident in their abilities and equipped with adequate knowledge, skills, and resources. This study aimed to determine surgical trainee knowledge and attitudes regarding tourniquet application and compare the effectiveness of instructions. METHODS: Thirty surgical trainees performed a tourniquet application simulation using a Combat Application Tourniquet and one of the three instructions sets developed by ACS, Department of Homeland Security, and the tourniquet manufacturer. Participants reported tourniquet knowledge, attitudes, and confidence and discussed the instructions. One instruction set was updated and compared to the original set with 20 new trainees. RESULTS: Participants with ACS instructions passed the greatest number of steps (p < 0.01) and completed the task significantly faster compared to those with manufacturer instructions (p < 0.01). Participants (80%) reported favorable views toward tourniquets but 30-60% did not align with to ACS tourniquet guidelines. Focus group participants suggested revisions to the ACS instructions. Comparing the original and revised version of these instructions resulted in no significant improvements. CONCLUSIONS: ACS instructions provide guidance; however, improvements to tourniquet instruction are needed for success in controlling exsanguinating hemorrhage.

Sweating the Little Things: Tourniquet Application Efficacy in Two Models of Pediatric Limb Circumference.

BACKGROUND: Current military recommendations include the use of tourniquets (TQ) in appropriate pediatric trauma patients. Although the utility of TQs has been well documented in adult patients, the efficacy of TQ application in pediatric patients is less clear. The current study attempted to identify physical constraints for TQ use in two simulated pediatric limb models. METHODS: Five different TQ (Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT) Generation 6 and Generation 7, SOFTT (SOF Tactical Tourniquet), SOFTT-W (SOF Tactical Tourniquet - Wide), SWAT-T (Stretch Wrap and Tuck - Tourniquet) and a trauma dressing were evaluated in two simulated pediatric limb models. Model one employed four cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) manikins simulating infant (Simulaids SaniBaby), 1 year (Gaumard HAL S3004), and 5 years (Laerdal Resusci Junior, Gaumard HAL S3005). Model two utilized polyvinyl chloride (PVC) piping with circumferences ranging from 4.25" to 16.5". Specific end-points included tightness of the TQ and ability to secure the windlass (where applicable). RESULTS: In both models, the ability to successfully apply and secure the TQ depended upon the simulated limb circumference. In the 1-year-old CPR manikin, all windlass TQs failed to tighten on the upper extremity, while all TQs successfully tightened at the high leg and mid-thigh. With the exception of the CAT7 and the SOFTT-W at the mid-thigh, no windlass TQ was successfully tightened at any extremity location on the infant. The SWAT-T was successfully tightened over all sites of all CPR manikins except the infant. No windlass TQ was able to tighten on PVC pipe 5.75" circumference or smaller (age < 24 months upper extremity). All windlass TQs were tightened and secured on the 13.25" and 15.5" circumference PVC pipes (age 7-12 years lower extremity, age >13 years upper extremity). The SWAT-T was tightened on all PVC pipes. DISCUSSION: The current study suggests that commercial windlass TQs can be applied to upper and lower extremities of children aged 5 years and older at the 50%th percentile for limb circumference. In younger children, windlass TQ efficacy is variable. Further study is required to better understand the limitations of TQs in the youngest children, and to determine actual hemorrhage control efficacy.

Adult Tourniquet for Use in School-Age Emergencies.

BACKGROUND: Gunshot injuries are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population. The Pediatric Trauma Society supports the use of tourniquets for exsanguinating hemorrhage in severe extremity trauma. The Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT) used with success in adults has not been prospectively tested in children. Our objective with this study was to determine if the CAT is successful in arresting extremity arterial blood flow in school-aged children. METHODS: Sixty school-aged volunteers (ages 6-16 years) recruited by age cohort had the CAT applied to an upper arm and thigh while peripheral pulse was monitored by Doppler. The number of windlass turns (maximum allowed: 3 [1080°]) required to arrest arterial pulse was recorded. Success was analyzed by BMI percentile for age and extremity circumference. RESULTS: The CAT was successful in occluding arterial blood flow as detected by Doppler pulse in all 60 (100%) of the upper extremities tested. In the lower extremity, 56 (93%) had successful occlusion. The 3-turn maximum allowed by the protocol was not adequate in some obese, older subjects (BMI >30). In both the upper and lower extremity, the number of turns required to occlude blood flow gradually increased with an increase in arm and thigh circumference. CONCLUSIONS: Prospective testing of a cohort of school-aged children 6 to 16 years revealed the CAT tourniquet to be suitable for use in both the upper and lower extremity.

Minimally invasive preperitoneal balloon tamponade and abdominal aortic junctional tourniquet versus open packing for pelvic fracture-associated hemorrhage: Not all extrinsic compression is equal.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive preperitoneal balloon tamponade (PPB) and abdominal aortic junctional tourniquets (AAJT) have been proposed as alternatives to open preperitoneal packing (OP) for the management of pelvic fracture-associated hemorrhage. We hypothesized that the PPB (SpaceMaker Pro) and AAJT would result in similar rates of survival and blood loss versus OP. METHODS: Thirty-two swine underwent creation of a combined open-book pelvic fracture and major iliac vascular injuries. Animals were randomized to no intervention (n = 7), OP (n = 10), PPB (n = 9), or AAJT (n = 6) at a mean arterial pressure <40 mm Hg following initiation of uncontrolled hemorrhage. Survival (up to 60 minutes + 10 minutes after intervention reversal), hemodynamics, extraperitoneal pressures, blood loss, and associated complications were compared between groups. RESULTS: Prior to injury, no difference was measured between groups for weight, hemodynamics, lactate, and hematocrit (all p > 0.05). The injury was uniformly lethal without intervention, with survival time (mean) of 5 minutes, peak preperitoneal pressure (PP) of 14 mm Hg, blood loss of 960 g, and peak lactate of 2.6 mmol/L. Survival time was 44 minutes with OP versus 60 minutes with PPB and AAJT (p < 0.01). Peak PP (mm Hg) was 19 with OP, 23 with PPB, and 23 with AAJT (p > 0.05). Blood loss (g) was 850 with OP, 930 with PPB, and 600 with AAJT (p > 0.05). Peak lactate (mmol/L) was 3.3 with OP, 4.3 with PPB, and 6.3 with AAJT (p < 0.01). Only 33% of AAJT animals survived intervention reversal versus 60% for OP and 67% for PPB (p < 0.01). Necropsy revealed bowel/bladder injury in 50% of AAJT subjects versus 0% in all other arms (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Preperitoneal balloon tamponade is a safe and potentially effective alternative to OP for the management of lethal pelvic fracture-associated hemorrhage. Abdominal aortic junctional tourniquet offers a similar survival benefit to PPB but has concerning rates of ischemia-reperfusion and compressive abdominal organ injury.

Investigation of safety and efficacy of a pneumatic finger tourniquet.

Finger tourniquets are widely used in hand surgery. However, they do not provide an estimate of the amount of pressure exerted and can potentially be left in situ with grave consequences. We assessed the pneumatic finger tourniquet in 57 adult patients in operations under local anaesthesia distal to the proximal interphalangeal joint. The average tourniquet time was 12 minutes. The tourniquet maintained its pressure for the length of the operation in 96.5% of cases. This airtight flat tubing is made of synthetic polymer, designed and manufactured by Barloworld Scientific Ltd (Staffordshire, UK). The tourniquet was easy to use and easily located after the operation. No complications were reported. This study supports the use of a pneumatic tourniquet in finger injuries requiring use of a finger tourniquet.