Practical Use of Emergency Tourniquets

## John F. Kragh, Jr., MD, Thomas J. Walters, PhD, David G. Baer, PhD, Charles J. Fox, MD, Charles E. Wade, PhD, Jose Salinas, PhD, and COL John B. Holcomb, MC

The Journal of TRAUMA, Injury, Infection, and Critical Care

J Trauma. 2008;64:S38 ?S50

#### Description with Key Points:

Few studies describe the actual morbidity associated with tourniquet use in combat casualties. The purpose of this study was to measure tourniquet use and subsequent complications. A prospective survey of casualties who required tourniquets was performed at a combat support hospital in Baghdad during 7 months in 2006. Patients were evaluated for tourniquet use, limb outcome, and morbidity.

- 232 patients with tourniquets on 309 limbs
- CAT was the best field tourniquet
- Approximately 3% had transient nerve palsies
- NO amputations caused by tourniquet use?

Practical Use of Emergency Tourniquets to Stop Bleeding in Major Limb Trauma
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# Take Home Message:

Remember that at the start of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), we were still losing casualties due to extremity hemorrhage.
We are doing much better now.
This study documented 232 LIVES SAVED in this ONE hospital in a one-year period.
There are MINIMAL complications from tourniquet use.