Journal of vascular surgery
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Vascular clamps, vessel loops, and intraluminal occluding devices used to control tibial and pedal vessels can be injurious and may fail to occlude heavily calcified arteries. In an effort to prevent injury to these small arteries, we have investigated the safety and efficacy of thigh pneumatic tourniquet occlusion for distal vascular control during infrapopliteal reconstruction. ⋯ Tourniquet occlusion simplifies the infrapopliteal dissection, lessens operating time, improves visualization of the distal anastomosis, and removes the potential for arterial injury to the target vessel. Arterial calcification and noncompressible tibial arteries do not contraindicate the use of thigh tourniquet occlusion. This technique is preferred for all patients undergoing tibial or pedal artery reconstruction.