The minimum effective midthigh tourniquet pressure.

The purpose of this study is to establish a minimum effective midthigh tourniquet pressure for use in lower extremity surgery. By establishing a minimum effective pressure, nerve compression and subsequent nerve damage can best be avoided. Various tourniquet pressures were applied at midthigh of the operated extremity, and the lowest pressure at which adequate hematosis was achieved was determined to be the minimum effective pressure. In this study, the minimum effective pressure was established at 90-100 mm Hg above the preoperative systolic arm pressure. This resulted in an average tourniquet pressure of 210 mm Hg.