A reperfusion interval reduces the contractile deficit in skeletal muscle following tourniquet ischemia

Bloodless surgical procedures on the extremities are achieved by application of a pneumatic tourniquet. The ischemia produced has deleterious effects on nerve and muscle function. It has been suggested that temporary interruption of ischemia by a reperfusion interval can prevent muscle and nerve injury. We investigated the muscle and nerve response to 3 hours of tourniquet ischemia, with and without a reperfusion interval after the first 2 hours of application, in a rodent model. Morphometric, contractile, and histologic parameters were measured. Tourniquet ischemia, with and without a reperfusion interval, results in muscle injury and a transient depression of muscle function. Introduction of a reperfusion interval reduces the severity of injury and increases the early rate of recovery. However, the later stages of recovery appear to be unaffected by reperfusion.