[Not a tourniquet, but compressive dressing. Experience from 68 traumatic amputations after injuries from mines]

Abstract

In autumn 1991, 68 patients with traumatic amputations after injuries caused by mines were evacuated to the United Nation's field hospital in the demilitarized zone between Iraq and Kuwait. Most were seen during a three week period when civilians harvested mines. During the first days of this period, continuous bleeding distally to applied tourniquets was frequently observed. Orders were issued to remove any tourniquets and cover the wounds with a very tight elastic bandage. Prehospital intravenous infusions were decreased. Three out of 18 patients died prior to the change of routine compared with one out of 50 afterwards. The new directives led to visibly less haemorrhage. Haemoglobin on admission was mean 8.6 g/100 ml during the first part of the observation period compared with mean 10.5 g/100 ml with the new routine. 23 patients received blood transfusions. Fewer patients needed transfusions after the use of tourniquets was discontinued. A tourniquet should not be used in the treatment of bleeding extremity injuries. In extensive crush injuries and traumatic amputations a compressive dressing should be used, applied from the end of the extremity in a proximal direction.