Sterile Pneumatic Tourniquet Adapted From The Aneroid Sphygmomanometer: Technique And Results.

Abstract

Ease of application and safety arising from determinable pressure are features of modern tourniquets such as the pneumatic tourniquet. The availability of pneumatic tourniquets in most hospitals in developing countries is limited because of the relatively high cost and need for regular maintenance. In such hospitals, the rubber bandage tourniquet is the only effective option available to orthopaedic surgeons. To assess the benefits of pneumatic tourniquets, we combined sterile crepe bandage and aneroid sphygmomanometer to provide a sterile pneumatic
tourniquet. The device could be applied and removed by the surgeon after draping the patient and this ensures that more tourniquet time is devoted to the actual procedure. The results of using our sterile pneumatic tourniquet showed good safety profile after twelve months follow-up.


Keywords: Aneroid, sphygmomanometer, Pneumatic, Tourniquet

Nigeria Journal of Orthopaedics and Trauma Vol. 7 (2) 2008: pp. 45-47