What device is used to help with circulation during surgery to prevent clots from forming?

The use of sequential compression stockings (SCS) is crucial in the surgical setting for promoting circulation and preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). These devices work by applying intermittent pressure to the lower extremities, which promotes blood flow in the veins. During surgery, particularly for longer procedures where patients may be immobile, the risk of clot formation increases.

Sequential compression stockings are designed to inflate and deflate in a sequenced manner, mimicking the natural muscle pump action of the legs during movement. This rhythmic pressure helps maintain venous return, thereby reducing stasis of blood flow that can lead to clot formation.

While compression bandages and elastic wraps may provide some level of compression, they do not have the sophisticated mechanism that sequential compression stockings offer, which is critical in a surgical context where effective circulation management is paramount. Circulation cuffs are more commonly associated with monitoring blood pressure rather than actively preventing blood clots during surgery.