  ReviewTourniquets for the control of traumatic hemorrhage: a review of the literatureStephen L Richey  CRT Saginaw Valley State University, University Village 453-5D 7400 Bay Road, University Center, Michigan 48710  author email corresponding author email
World Journal of Emergency Surgery 2007,
2:28doi:10.1186/1749-7922-2-28
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| Published: |
24 October 2007 |
First paragraph (this article has no abstract)
The use of tourniquets for the control of hemorrhage from traumatic injury has been long debated. Opinions on the utility and safety of their use in this setting have alternated between strong endorsement and outright vilification of the device, with each of the camps backing up their contentions with varying levels of anecdotal evidence. The debate is largely fueled by experiences of military surgeons during wartime and the results have changed with changing times, differing systems and circumstances in which they have been utilized. Review of the evidence available in the English language medical literature seems to indicate that while neither camp is entirely correct, neither seems to be entirely without merit. The preservation of life- even at the potential expense of a limb- should without a doubt take precedence, but this should not lead to the abandonment of all possible efforts to minimize the length of time that the tourniquet is in place and the thereby reduce the attendant risk of complications. | 
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