The Journal of foot surgery
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Pneumatic ankle tourniquets are currently used in podiatry for maintaining hemostasis during foot surgery. The literature is limited concerning the safest pressure to use with this device. This study was undertaken to develop a simple and reliable method of deriving a proper pressure setting that would be safe and efficacious. ⋯ The lower pressures used were felt to be safer and better tolerated by the patients. The authors concluded that the minimum effective pressure should be determined for each patient preoperatively and the routine use of a maximum safe pressure of 250 mm. Hg should be discouraged.