Page 71 - JSOM Spring 2024
P. 71
was closed via autodermoplasty (Figures 3–7). The postoper-
ative course was without complications, and the supporting
function of the limb was restored.
FIGURE 7 Closure of a soft
tissue defect associated with
tourniquet syndrome.
FIGURE 3 Pronounced muscle swelling
in a patient with tourniquet syndrome.
generation hemostatic tourniquet was used. Extensive necrosis
was the main reason for amputation after prolonged tourni-
quet application.
Conclusion
FIGURE 4 Preparation of a skin flap
for plastic surgery. When the tourniquet is applied correctly, duration of use
should not exceed 2 hours. Prompt triage and evacuation of
injured combatants can save affected limbs, even when the du-
ration of tourniquet use exceeds the recommended safety limit.
The use of a hemostatic tourniquet can prevent the occurrence
of tourniquet syndrome.
Author Contributions
IMS and EMK conceived the study. IMS and EMK devised
the methodology, and IMS validated it. YMV performed the
formal analysis, and all three authors participated in the Inves-
FIGURE 5 Autodermoplasty tigation. IMS and EMK secured resources for the study. YMV
performed data curation. All three authors wrote the original
draft, and IMS and YMV reviewed and edited it. YMV visual-
ized the data. IMS and EMK supervised the study, and EMK
handled project administration.
Disclosures
Authors have nothing to declare.
Funding
No funding was received for this work.
References
1. Kotwal RS, Montgomery HR, Kotwal BM, et al. Eliminating pre-
FIGURE 6 Intervention ventable death on the battlefield. Arch Surg. 2011;146(12):1350–
1358. DOI:10.1001/archsurg.2011.213.
2. Jaeger JM, Rice DC, Albright-Trainer B. Battlefield medicine: An-
esthesia and critical care in the combat zone. Anesthesiol Clin.
2021;39(2):321–336. DOI:10.1016/j.anclin.2021.03.002.
3. Strusinski B. Care under fire. Wisdom Editions; 2020.
4. SICH-Ukraine. Історія еволюції кровоспинних джгутів-турнікетів.
[The history of the evolution of hemostatic tourniquets] Website
of SICH-Ukraine. Published 2018. https://sich.ua/evolution/. Ac-
cessed 24 October 2023
5. Kragh JF Jr, Aden JK 3rd, Dubick MA. Tourniquets last to tourni-
As described above, we managed to save the limb even after quets first. J Spec Oper Med. 2020;20(2):20–21. DOI:10.55460/
prolonged tourniquet use. However, following treatment, the FEEA-WXO7.
patient showed signs of neuropathy in the form of decreased 6. Murphy CG, Winter DC, Bouchier-Hayes DJ. Tourniquet injuries:
sensitivity and muscle strength during dorsiflexion. Pathogenesis and modalities for attenuation. Acta Orthop Belg.
2005;71(6):635–645.
7. McEwen JA. Mechanisms and Prevention of Injuries In: Tourniquet
During active hostilities, we encountered 11 cases of se- Safety for 2023:. tourniquets.org. 2024. https://tourniquets.org/
vere tourniquet syndrome, and the limb was salvaged in 9 tourniquet-injuries-mechanisms-and-prevention/. Accessed 24 Oc-
(81.8%) cases. In all cases where the limb was saved, a second tober 2023.
Tourniquets in the Russo-Ukrainian War | 69