[Pneumatic tourniquet occlusion of circulation in distal bypass surgery]

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Cardiovascular Medicine

Background:

• Femoral-popliteal and distal bypass surgery necessitates precise artery isolation.
• Calcified and arteriosclerotic arteries present significant surgical challenges for occlusion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the sterile Löfquist-bandage as a tourniquet for vascular occlusion in distal bypass surgery.
• To assess its advantages over traditional methods, particularly in cases of severely calcified vessels.

Main Methods:

• The Löfquist-bandage was employed for temporary vascular occlusion prior to vessel opening in 74 patients undergoing distal bypass surgery between 1999 and 2003.
• Patients included those with primary distal bypass (29) and bypass occlusion (45), who also underwent thrombectomy, PTA, and anastomosis revisions.

Main Results:

• The Löfquist-bandage facilitated a short clamping time and efficient vessel dissection.
• Complications included a few cases of hematomas, re-occlusion, wound infections, and major amputations.
• No operative complications directly related to the bandage use were observed.

Conclusions:

• The Löfquist-bandage is a safe and advantageous tool for vascular occlusion in distal bypass surgery, particularly for challenging calcified vessels.
• It offers benefits in terms of reduced clamping time and improved vessel handling.