Esmarch Bandage
Esmarch · Esmark Bandage · Esmark · Exsanguination Bandage
A roll of thin, stretchy rubber or synthetic sheet, usually blue or tan, a few inches wide and several feet long. It is packed sterile for use on the field.
On the table
What it does, the lengths it comes in and what experienced techs know about it.
What it’s for
Squeezes the blood out of an arm or leg before a pneumatic tourniquet is inflated, giving a bloodless field. After the prep and draping, the limb is raised and the bandage is wrapped tightly from the fingers or toes up toward the tourniquet. The tourniquet is inflated with the bandage still on, then the bandage is unwrapped and removed. It is also used the same way for an IV regional (Bier) block.
Lengths and variants
Widths of about 3, 4 and 6 inches and lengths of 9 to 12 feet; sterile, latexLAY-teksNatural rubber made from the sap of the rubber tree, used in some gloves, catheters and other medical supplies.Full entry and latex-free versions.
What experienced techs know
What techs who reach for it every day know about it.Pro
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7 sources
- Fuller JK. Surgical Technology: Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Chapter 29 (Orthopedic Surgery), p. 766
- Fuller JK. Surgical Technology: Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Chapter 13 (Anesthesia, Physiological Monitoring, and Postanesthesia Recovery), p. 269
- Fuller JK. Surgical Technology: Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Chapter 7 (Environmental Hazards), p. 97
- Fuller JK. Surgical Technology: Principles and Practice. 6th ed. Chapter 22 (hemostasis and tourniquets), PDF p. 463
- Rothrock JC. Alexander's Care of the Patient in Surgery. 17th ed. Chapter 20 (Orthopedic Surgery), p. 677
- Rothrock JC. Alexander's Care of the Patient in Surgery. 17th ed. Chapter 5 (Anesthesia), p. 129
- relinkonline.com
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