Tourniquet ischaemia. Clinical and biochemical observations
Santavirta, S.; Kauste, A.; Rindell, K.
Annales Chirurgiae et Gynaecologiae 67(6): 210-213
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0355-9521 PMID: 742822 Document Number: 136686
The duration of tourniquet ischemia was recorded in 1000 consecutive operations on extremities under a bloodless field; the average ischemia time was 74.11 .+-. 29.52 min. The duration of tourniquet ischemia in meniscectomies was 58.47 .+-. 15.91 min, in osteosynthesis of malleolar fractures 88.46 .+-. 23.33 min and in operations for endoprosthetic replacement of the knee joint 131.19 .+-. 11.24 min. In 85 cases the commonly accepted 2 h limit for tourniquet time was exceeded without clinical complications. LDH levels in venous blood were studied in 15 operations. No significant changes were seen in LDH levels when recorded up to 24 h release of the tourniquet. CPK levels increased significantly (P < 0.05) and highly significantly (P < 0.005) when measured 3 h and 24 h after the release of the tourniquet, respectively. Two hours of ischemia of the extremities is relatively well-tolerated.