A new technique for hemodialysis access surgery: use of the pneumatic tourniquet.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether tourniquet occlusion could be safely used on the upper extremity for vascular control during hemodialysis access surgery. The hospital and outpatient records of 44 patients undergoing 105 hemodialysis access procedures were retrospectively reviewed. In 48 procedures tourniquet occlusion was used for vascular control, whereas in 57 procedures vascular clamps were used. In those procedures in which the tourniquet was used, the mean tourniquet time was 30 minutes and the mean tourniquet pressure was 242 mm Hg. The operative time was significantly less in the tourniquet group as compared to the clamp group (72.5 minutes vs. 84 minutes, respectively; p = 0.029). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of nerve injury, bleeding, hematoma, vascular steal, infection, or swelling between the two groups. There were no complications related specifically to the use of the tourniquet. There was no difference in primary patency in comparing the tourniquet control group with the clamp control group (p > 0.5). The use of a pneumatic tourniquet for vascular control during hemodialysis access surgery allows for a faster, technically easier operation with no increase in the complication rate and no effect on primary patency.