Distal forearm tourniquet for hand surgery

To evaluate the usefulness of the tourniquet placed at the distal forearm, 30 patients were operated with the tourniquet set at the distal forearm using nerve-block anaesthesia. Pain during surgery, flexion of the fingers, bloodless field, and general complications during surgery and 18 months thereafter were recorded. The mean time of ischemia was 19.6+/-7.5 (10-50) min. A bloodless field was achieved in all cases, and pain during operation was low. Flexion of the fingers were found in most cases but was reducible and not annoying for the surgeon. There were no serious complications during surgery or at follow-up. The tourniquet placed at the distal forearm is painless, safe, and useful in hand surgery.