Hand exsanguination: prospective randomised blind study of an established versus a modified technique

One hundred patients undergoing elective hand surgery were randomized to have their hands exsanguinated by either the Rhys-Davies exsanguinator alone or the Rhys-Davies exsanguinator supplemented by a 500 ml bag of intravenous fluid which was placed in the patient's palm as the exsanguinator was rolled up the limb. The quality of the exsanguination was assessed by the surgeon using a pre-defined subjective scoring system. There were no significant differences in the exsanguination scores of the two treatment groups.