Question

Five minutes after intravascular injection of local anesthetic for an IV regional technique for hand surgery, the surgeon is notified that the equipment he needs is not available. It will take approximately 1 hour to get the instruments in the operating room. Which of the options is appropriate for tourniquet management of this patient? A. Deflate the tourniquet and perform an axillary block.

B. Deflate the tourniquet after 30 minutes and perform general anesthesia.
C. Deflate the tourniquet and perform general anesthesia.
D. Maintain the tourniquet and wait for the instruments.
E. Inject more lidocaine into the anesthetized hand to allow the block to last longer.

Answer 1

The appropriate option for tourniquet management in this situation would be to deflate the tourniquet and perform general anesthesia.

Step-by-step explanation:

The appropriate option for tourniquet management in this situation would be to deflate the tourniquet and perform general anesthesia. Since the equipment needed for the surgery is not available and it will take approximately 1 hour to get the instruments, it is safer to perform general anesthesia to ensure the patient's airway is protected and maintained throughout the procedure. General anesthesia will allow the patient to remain unconscious and have their breathing controlled by a ventilator.