Simple Arm Tourniquet as an Adjunct to Double-Cuff Tourniquet in Intravenous Regional Anesthesia

BACKGROUND Intravenous Regional Anesthesia (IVRA) is a well-known technique for producing analgesia during surgical procedures in the extremities. However, the rapid onset of pain following the deflation of a double-cuff tourniquet during IVRA is a serious disadvantage, leading patient suffering. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of a pneumatic arm tourniquet applied 2 cm above the double-cuff tourniquet in controlling the pain that occurs after its deflation. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty patients undergoing outpatient hand surgery were operated on under IVRA, using 40 - 50 mL of a solution containing 3 mg/kg of lignocaine. A simple pneumatic tourniquet was applied proximal to the double-cuff tourniquet, 3 min before its deflation, while the procedure was being conducted. The severity of pain on the basis of the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) was assessed throughout the operation, and continued until an hour after the double-cuff tourniquet was removed. RESULTS The mean operation time after the deflation of the double-cuff tourniquet was 20.12 ± 6.1 minutes. Moreover, the mean NRS for the post-deflation time was insignificant (NRS = 2), and only one patient during first 20 minutes received opioids. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that a pneumatic arm tourniquet as an adjunct to IVRA provides acceptable analgesia following the deflation of the double- cuff tourniquet for relieving surgical pain.