Tourniquet-induced hypertension in an ostrich

Surgery was performed on a 3-year-old 110-kg male ostrich (Struthio camelus) to remove a sequestrum from the dorsal aspect of the left tarsometatarsal bone. A pneumatic tourniquet was positioned proximal to the surgical site and inflated to 600 mm of Hg. Systolic blood pressure increased 35% over 105 minutes while the tourniquet was inflated. Systolic blood pressure decreased 31.5% within 30 seconds after removal of the tourniquet pressure. Recovery from anesthesia and surgery was routine. The tourniquet-induced hypertension in this ostrich was similar to that reported for human beings and horses.