Abstract
Objective:
To assess the effect of tourniquet use on bleeding, bruising and quality of life in varicose vein surgery.
Method:
A prospective randomised trial of 49 patients undergoing varicose vein surgery was carried out. All patients were having single leg surgery as a day case. Blood loss was assessed by weighing swabs. Bruising was measured at 10 days, and quality of life assessed with SF36 questionaires.
Synthesis:
In the tourniquet group blood loss was significantly reduced but not the area of bruising. The SF36 scores showed deterioration in the non-tourniquet group at 10 days but this was not present at 6 weeks. We saw no complications of tourniquet use but the study was limited by disappointing recruitment reducing the power.
Conclusion:
Tourniquet use may be of clinical value. A larger study is required to assess the significance.
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