Low leg tourniquet

ABSTRACT

Low leg tourniquet at a site between the calf and the malleloi was routinely used during various elective surgical procedures on 106 non-ischaemic feet of seventy-four consecutive patients in the age group 2 - 65 years. The period of ischaemic lasted up to 75 minutes. Using appropriate arm-size pneumatic cuff and suitable arm inflation pressure, a completely bloodless field was achieved in 104 surgical procedures without any local distal complications. The technique of application of the low leg tourniquet is safe, satisfactory and avoids unnecessary ischaemia to a relatively large segment of the lower limb. Its routine use in all suitable cases of surgery on the foot merits further trial and is recommended (AU)