Tourniquet: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 17:44, 18 February 2025

A device used to apply pressure to a limb or extremity to limit blood flow

A tourniquet is a device that applies pressure to a limb or extremity in order to limit – but not stop – the flow of blood. It can be used in emergencies, in surgery, or in post-operative rehabilitation. Tourniquets are widely used in both medical and military settings.

History

The use of tourniquets dates back to ancient times. The earliest recorded use was by the Romans, who used them to control bleeding during amputations. In the 18th century, the French surgeon Jean-Louis Petit developed the screw tourniquet, which allowed for more controlled application of pressure.

Types of Tourniquets

Tourniquets can be broadly classified into two types: emergency tourniquets and surgical tourniquets.

Emergency Tourniquets

Emergency tourniquets are used in situations where there is severe bleeding from a limb, such as in traumatic injuries. They are designed to be applied quickly and effectively to control hemorrhage until further medical treatment can be administered. Common types include:

Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT): Used by military personnel, it is a one-handed tourniquet that can be applied quickly in the field.
SOF Tactical Tourniquet (SOFTT): Another military-grade tourniquet, known for its durability and ease of use.

Surgical Tourniquets

Surgical tourniquets are used in operating rooms to create a bloodless field for surgery. They are typically pneumatic devices that can be precisely controlled to apply the desired amount of pressure. These tourniquets are used in procedures such as knee arthroscopy and limb surgeries.

Mechanism of Action

A tourniquet works by applying circumferential pressure to a limb, compressing the underlying tissues and occluding blood vessels. This stops the flow of blood to the distal part of the limb, which can be crucial in preventing exsanguination in cases of severe trauma.

Application Technique

The proper application of a tourniquet is critical to its effectiveness. The general steps include:

1. Placement: The tourniquet should be placed 2-3 inches above the wound, avoiding joints. 2. Tightening: The tourniquet should be tightened until the bleeding stops. This may require significant force. 3. Securing: Once tightened, the tourniquet must be secured to prevent it from loosening. 4. Time Recording: The time of application should be noted, as prolonged use can lead to tissue damage.

Risks and Complications

While tourniquets are life-saving devices, they can also cause complications if used improperly. Potential risks include:

Nerve Damage: Prolonged pressure can damage nerves, leading to numbness or paralysis.
Tissue Necrosis: Extended use can lead to tissue death due to lack of blood supply.
Compartment Syndrome: Improper application can cause increased pressure within a muscle compartment, leading to further complications.

Images

File:Combat Application Tourniquet.jpg

A Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT) used in military settings.

Related Pages

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-== Tourniquet ==
+{{Short description|A device used to apply pressure to a limb or extremity to limit blood flow}}
-A '''tourniquet''' is a device that applies pressure to a limb or extremity in order to limit but not stop the flow of blood. It can be used in emergencies, surgery, or in post-operative rehabilitation. Tourniquets are widely used in both medical and military settings.
+A '''tourniquet''' is a device that applies pressure to a limb or extremity in order to limit – but not stop – the flow of blood. It can be used in emergencies, in surgery, or in post-operative rehabilitation. Tourniquets are widely used in both medical and military settings.
-== History ==
+==History==
+The use of tourniquets dates back to ancient times. The earliest recorded use was by the Romans, who used them to control bleeding during amputations. In the 18th century, the French surgeon [[Jean-Louis Petit]] developed the screw tourniquet, which allowed for more controlled application of pressure.
-The use of tourniquets dates back to ancient times. The earliest recorded use was by the Romans, who used them to control bleeding during amputations. In the 18th century, the French surgeon [[Jean-Louis Petit]] developed a screw device that could be tightened to control bleeding, which became known as the "Petit tourniquet".
+==Types of Tourniquets==
+Tourniquets can be broadly classified into two types: emergency tourniquets and surgical tourniquets.
-[[File:Petit_tourniquet_-_Savigny_1798.jpg|thumb|right|A Petit tourniquet from 1798]]
+===Emergency Tourniquets===
+Emergency tourniquets are used in situations where there is severe bleeding from a limb, such as in traumatic injuries. They are designed to be applied quickly and effectively to control hemorrhage until further medical treatment can be administered. Common types include:
-In the 19th century, the use of tourniquets became more widespread, particularly in military medicine. During the [[American Civil War]], tourniquets were used extensively to prevent soldiers from bleeding to death on the battlefield.
+* '''Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT):''' Used by military personnel, it is a one-handed tourniquet that can be applied quickly in the field.
+* '''SOF Tactical Tourniquet (SOFTT):''' Another military-grade tourniquet, known for its durability and ease of use.
-== Modern Use ==
+===Surgical Tourniquets===
+Surgical tourniquets are used in operating rooms to create a bloodless field for surgery. They are typically pneumatic devices that can be precisely controlled to apply the desired amount of pressure. These tourniquets are used in procedures such as knee arthroscopy and limb surgeries.
-Today, tourniquets are used in a variety of medical settings. They are commonly used in [[surgery]] to create a bloodless field, which allows surgeons to see more clearly and operate more effectively. Tourniquets are also used in [[emergency medicine]] to control severe bleeding from traumatic injuries.
+==Mechanism of Action==
+A tourniquet works by applying circumferential pressure to a limb, compressing the underlying tissues and occluding blood vessels. This stops the flow of blood to the distal part of the limb, which can be crucial in preventing exsanguination in cases of severe trauma.
-[[File:Defense.gov_photo_essay_081106-D-1852B-012.jpg|thumb|right|A soldier applying a tourniquet during a training exercise]]
+==Application Technique==
+The proper application of a tourniquet is critical to its effectiveness. The general steps include:
-In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in the use of tourniquets in civilian emergency medicine, particularly in the context of mass casualty events. The "Stop the Bleed" campaign, for example, encourages bystanders to use tourniquets to control bleeding in emergency situations.
+. '''Placement:''' The tourniquet should be placed 2-3 inches above the wound, avoiding joints.
+. '''Tightening:''' The tourniquet should be tightened until the bleeding stops. This may require significant force.
+. '''Securing:''' Once tightened, the tourniquet must be secured to prevent it from loosening.
+. '''Time Recording:''' The time of application should be noted, as prolonged use can lead to tissue damage.
-== Types of Tourniquets ==
+==Risks and Complications==
+While tourniquets are life-saving devices, they can also cause complications if used improperly. Potential risks include:
-There are several different types of tourniquets, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The most common types include:
+* '''Nerve Damage:''' Prolonged pressure can damage nerves, leading to numbness or paralysis.
+* '''Tissue Necrosis:''' Extended use can lead to tissue death due to lack of blood supply.
+* '''Compartment Syndrome:''' Improper application can cause increased pressure within a muscle compartment, leading to further complications.
-* '''Elastic band tourniquets''': These are simple bands of elastic material that are wrapped around the limb and tightened to control bleeding.
+==Images==
-* '''Windlass tourniquets''': These use a stick or rod to twist the band tighter, providing more pressure than elastic band tourniquets.
+[[File:Tourniquet application.jpg|thumb|right|A tourniquet being applied to a limb.]]
-* '''Pneumatic tourniquets''': These use air pressure to apply even pressure around the limb. They are often used in surgical settings.
+[[File:Combat Application Tourniquet.jpg|thumb|left|A Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT) used in military settings.]]
-[[File:Cuff_Technology_-_Application_Handle_Cuff.jpg|thumb|right|A pneumatic tourniquet being applied]]
-== Risks and Complications ==
-While tourniquets can be life-saving, they also carry risks. If applied too tightly or left on for too long, they can cause tissue damage or even lead to the loss of the limb. It is important that tourniquets are used correctly and that they are removed as soon as possible once bleeding is controlled.
-== Related Pages ==
+==Related Pages==
 * [[Hemorrhage]]
 * [[First aid]]
-* [[Emergency medical services]]
+* [[Trauma surgery]]
+* [[Emergency medicine]]
-== References ==
-* Kragh, J. F., et al. (2008). "Survival with emergency tourniquet use to stop bleeding in major limb trauma." Annals of Surgery, 249(1), 1-7.
-* Walters, T. J., et al. (2005). "The effectiveness of emergency tourniquet use in a combat setting: a review of the current literature." Journal of Trauma, 59(3), 676-681.
-[[Category:Medical equipment]]
+[[Category:Medical devices]]
 [[Category:Emergency medicine]]
-<gallery>
+[[Category:Military medicine]]
-File:Defense.gov_photo_essay_081106-D-1852B-012.jpg|Tourniquet
-File:Tourniquet.jpeg|Tourniquet
-File:Petit_tourniquet_-_Savigny_1798.jpg|Petit tourniquet - Savigny 1798
-File:17850000-Tourniquet_Use-GILBERT-BLANE.jpg|Tourniquet Use - Gilbert Blane
-File:LimbProtectionSleeve.jpg|Tourniquet
-File:Cuff_Technology_-_Application_Handle_Cuff.jpg|Tourniquet
-File:Prämeta_tourniquet-4981.jpg|Prämeta tourniquet
-File:Phlebotomy-practice-university-of-delaware.jpg|Tourniquet
-</gallery>