USE OF TACTICAL TOURNIQUET IN EXSANGUINATING HEMORRHAGE FROM HIGH-ENERGY TRAUMA: AN URBAN CASE REPORT

Abstract

This article presents a case report of severe trauma in an urban setting, which occurred in the city of Itapema, Santa Catarina, Brazil, in 2020, resulting from a motorcycle collision with a public lighting pole. The patient sustained an open femoral fracture with injury to the femoral artery, evolving with massive hemorrhage and an estimated blood loss of approximately 1.5 liters. The initial attempt to control the bleeding through direct pressure, performed by a physician who was present at the scene, proved ineffective. However, the application of a tactical tourniquet by a previously trained public security officer was successful in achieving hemostatic control and provided immediate relief of the pain reported by the patient. The victim remained conscious throughout the entire pre-hospital care and survived the event. This case highlights the importance of early use of the tactical tourniquet in critical hemorrhagic scenarios during pre-hospital management and raises the hypothesis that its immediate application may also contribute to pain control and the prevention of neurogenic shock.