Tourniquet use during varicose vein surgery: a survey of current practice among Wessex surgeons

Abstract

The use of a tourniquet during varicose vein surgery, has been shown, through previous randomised trials, to result in a significant reduction in blood loss, superior post-operative cosmesis with no increase in operating time. Nonetheless, it would seem that few surgeons use this technique. Using postal questionnaires (n = 107), we have assessed the views and current practice among general surgeons (consultants and higher surgical trainees) in Wessex where the method was first proposed, to see how widely it has been adopted. We find that the majority (69.5%) of general surgeons in Wessex never use a tourniquet during varicose vein surgery. Possible reasons for this include the belief that it is time consuming, inconvenient, compromises the sterility of the operative field and confers no advantage. We conclude, however, that by not using a tourniquet during varicose vein surgery, surgeons are overlooking an important, evidence-based technique. Given that in the UK over 50,000 patients per year undergo operative varicose vein procedures, this can only adversely affect the delivery of quality healthcare to a large group of patients.