[Use of the tourniquet in gastrointestinal surgery]

Experimentally induced total or partial intestinal obstructions (ileus) in pigs were surgically treated by means of a tourniquet technique. A lace used in obstetrics for ligation of umbilicus served as the tourniquet. The lace was protracted around an intestine, both ends were threaded through 7-10 cm long rubber tube and fixed by Pean's forceps. During application of the tourniquet we performed suction of the ileus content, devitalization or resection of the affected intestinal segments and intestinal anastomoses. Since the tourniquet provides a flexible compression of intestine with minimum mechanical damage, manipulation without danger of instrument release, and it has negligible cost, this tool gives supposition for the possible use in human surgical praxis.