Use of a Pneumatic Tourniquet Improves Outcome Following Trans-tibial Amputation

It is traditionally taught that a pneumatic tourniquet is contraindicated for trans-tibial amputations in patients with peripheral arterial disease. However, tourniquets are used successfully during total knee arthroplasty in elderly patients. Vascular patients undergoing a trans-tibial amputation have a high perioperative mortality and morbidity-notably the need for wound revision or a higher amputation level. We hypothesised that a tourniquet,...