A tourniquet in knee surgery is an inflatable wrapping which goes around the upper thigh to stop blood flow during an operation.

tourniquet during knee surgery
Before inflating the tourniquet, the leg is usually elevated and wrapped toghtly with an elastic bandage to 'exsanguinate' it (get the blood out). Then the tourniquet is blown up above the level of the blood pressure, and the elastic bandage is removed.
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A discussion of how a tourniquet is used during surgery, and problems associated with tourniquets.

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Dr Sheila StroverĀ (Editor)
BSc (Hons), MB BCh, MBA

See biography...