Surgical instrument and method for occlusion of uterine blood vessels

A method for performing a cesarean section comprising the steps of:

• a) cutting an incision on the patient's abdomen;
• b) dissecting through one or more layers of subcutaneous tissue to expose the uterus;
• c) cutting an incision through the uterus;
• d) delivering a baby from the uterus;
• e) delivering a placenta from the uterus;
• f) applying pressure to one or more uterine vessels by a surgical instrument around a lower segment of the uterus and such one or more uterine vessels, the surgical instrument comprising:
• an elongated, flexible, and resilient tourniquet having a first end and second end, a portion of the tourniquet proximate to the second end defining a plurality of holes configured to securely yet releasably engage a lashing member disposed at or proximate to the first end of the tourniquet;
• g) suturing the incision through the uterus;
• h) releasing the lashing member from the selected hole on the tourniquet;
• i) removing the tourniquet from the abdominal cavity;
• and
• j) closing the patient;
• wherein applying pressure to the one or more uterine vessels comprises threading the first end of the tourniquet around a back side of the lower segment of the uterus and the one or more uterine vessels and, from a front side of the lower segment of the uterus, inserting the lashing member into one of the plurality of holes in order to form the tourniquet as a secure loop around the lower segment of the uterus and the one or more uterine vessels.

A surgical instrument for at least partial occlusion of uterine blood vessels, comprising:

• a tourniquet defined by any of an elongated, flexible, and resilient tourniquet in any form selected from the group consisting of a band, strip, tape, cord, and belt, the tourniquet having a first end and second end;
• and
• a lashing member disposed at or proximate to the first end;
• wherein a portion of the tourniquet proximate to the second end defines a plurality of holes configured to securely yet releasably receive the lashing member to form the tourniquet as a loop.