Stopping extremity hemorrhage: More than just a tourniquet

• Published in: Surgery open science Vol. 7; pp. 42 - 45
• Main Author: Parry, Neil G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.01.2022; Elsevier
• Subjects: Special Issue: Technical Considerations for Hemorrhage Control
• ISSN: 2589-8450; 2589-8450
• DOI: 10.1016/j.sopen.2021.11.003

Major extremity hemorrhage is a surgical emergency, and the physical examination is essential to help dictate appropriate clinical decision making. Hard signs that require immediate surgical intervention include ongoing bleeding, expanding hematoma, ischemic limb, as well as partial/complete amputation. Packing, compression, balloon tamponade, and tourniquets are very helpful to temporize major hemorrhage. Mangled extremities are very challenging to manage and require a multidisciplinary approach. Temporary vascular shunts are excellent tools for vascular/orthopedic damage control and for temporary stabilization prior to transport for definitive care.