Use of temporary additional tourniquet for volume reduction in the upper extremity regional intravenous anesthesia

Aim: In this study, we aimed to investigate the efficacy of temporary tourniquet in addition to traditional regional intravenous anesthesia (RIVA) in reducing the local anesthetic volume in upper extremity surgery. Methods: Observational forms of 40 adult patients with ASA physical score I-II-III who underwent elective orthopedic upper limb surgery were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups: Group 15 (n=20) received 150 mg lidocaine hydrochloride completed to 15 ml with saline and Group 20 (n=20) received 150 mg lidocaine hydrochloride completed to 20 ml with saline. Periods of tourniquet pain formation, peroperative follow-up values and patient satisfaction score were compared. Results: Demographic data were similar in both groups. No statistically significant difference was found between the number of patients with tourniquet pain in group 15 and group 20. A statistically significant difference was found in 30th minute saturation values between the two groups, but no clinically significant difference was found. Other follow-up findings are statistically similar. Conclusions: We think that this RIVA technique with low volume local anesthetic solution provides an effective anesthesia in short-term upper extremity surgery. Key words: IVRA, hand surgery, tourniquet pain