The Use of Pulse Oximetry to Diagnose Limb Ischaemia

The accurate diagnosis of limb ischaemia in the acute trauma setting is time critical. In cases of polytrauma and complex limb injuries this assessment can be difficult and is often first performed by a junior member of the team. The assessment of neurovascular status of these injuries is much the same as it was decades ago. Recently clinical methods thought to be of use are being proven otherwise. In our trauma centre we now routinely use pulse oximetry in the assessment of limb and digit ischaemia.