SikaSeeker
Well-Known Member
Yes, but the tourniquet is like a big blood pressure cuff, the pressure is reduced during surgery for blood flow. I work in orthopaedics at present.Indeed.....considering people undergo orthopaedic and plastic surgery on a regular basis whilst using a tourniquet without problem. The one thing that is important is that time the tourniquet is/was applied is clear to all involved. Sometimes the discomfort from removing the tourniquet can be worse than the original injury as the blood and oxygen reach all the extremities....
Added to that a quickly and effectively applied tourniquet in a trauma situation can be a lifesaver - just look at the number of casualties from Iraq/Afghanistan due to IED's as evidence.....it's far easier to treat any hypoxic injuries to a limb after a tourniquet has been in place rather than trying to resuscitate a body that has exsanguinated from a major haemorrhage.


