Display options
Cite
Via AG, Oliva F, Spoliti M, et al. Acute compartment syndrome. Muscles Ligaments Tendons J. 2015;5(1):18-22
Via, A. G., Oliva, F., Spoliti, M., & Maffulli, N. (2015). Acute compartment syndrome. Muscles, ligaments and tendons journal, 5(1), 18-22.
Via, Alessio Giai, et al. "Acute compartment syndrome." Muscles, ligaments and tendons journal vol. 5,1 (2015): 18-22.
Via AG, Oliva F, Spoliti M, Maffulli N. Acute compartment syndrome. Muscles Ligaments Tendons J. 2015 Mar 27;5(1):18-22. eCollection 2015. PMID: 25878982; PMCID: PMC4396671.
Copy Download .nbib Format: NLM
Share it on

Muscles Ligaments Tendons J. 2015 Mar 27;5(1):18-22. eCollection 2015.

Acute compartment syndrome.

Muscles, ligaments and tendons journal

Alessio Giai Via, Francesco Oliva, Marco Spoliti, Nicola Maffulli

Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic and Traumatology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", School of Medicine, Rome, Italy.
  2. Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, San Camillo-Forlanini Hospital, Rome, Italy.
  3. Department of Musculoskeletal Disorders, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Italy; Queen Mary University of London, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, London, England.

PMID: 25878982 PMCID: PMC4396671

Abstract

BACKGROUND: acute compartment syndrome (ACS) is one of the few true emergencies in orthopedics and traumatology. It is a painful condition caused by the increase interstitial pressure (intracompart-mental pressure - ICP) within a closed osteofascial compartment which impair local circulation. It occurs most often in the legs, but it can affects also the arms, hands, feet, and buttocks. It usually develops after a severe injury such as fractures or crush injury, but it can also occurs after a relatively minor injury and it may be iatrogenic. Uncommon causes of ACS have been also described, that suggest surgeons to pay great attention to this serious complication. Diagnosing ACS is difficult in clinical practice, even among expert surgeons. Currently, the diagnosis is made on the basis of physical examination and repeated ICP measures. ICP higher than 30 mmHg of diastolic blood pressure is significant of compartment syndrome. Once diagnosis is made, fasciotomy to release the affected compartment should be performed as early as possible because delayed decompression would lead to irreversible ischemic damage to muscles and peripheral nerves.

CONCLUSION: acute compartment syndrome is a surgical emergency. There is still little consensus among authors about diagnosis and treatment of these serious condition, in particular about the ICP at which fasciotomy is absolutely indicated and the timing of wound closure. New investigations are needed in order to improve diagnosis and treatment of ACS.

Keywords: acute compartment syndrome; complications; fasciotomy; fracture; intracompartmental pressure; myofascial compartment

References

  1. Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis. 2013 Oct;24(7):677-82 - PubMed
  2. BMJ Case Rep. 2014 Jan 17;2014:null - PubMed
  3. J Surg Educ. 2007 May-Jun;64(3):178-86 - PubMed
  4. Injury. 2010 Feb;41(2):133-6 - PubMed
  5. BMJ Case Rep. 2012 Dec 17;2012:null - PubMed
  6. J Orthop Trauma. 2010 Jun;24(6):364-8 - PubMed
  7. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2012 Sep;5(3):206-13 - PubMed
  8. Muscles Ligaments Tendons J. 2014 Feb 24;3(4):250-2 - PubMed
  9. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2012 Jul-Aug;37(4):393-7 - PubMed
  10. Open Orthop J. 2012;6:535-43 - PubMed
  11. J Trauma. 2008 Feb;64(2 Suppl):S153-61; discussion S161-2 - PubMed
  12. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2000 Mar;82(2):200-3 - PubMed
  13. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2010 Apr;92(4):863-70 - PubMed
  14. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1989 Mar;71(3):392-400 - PubMed
  15. Ann Vasc Surg. 2013 Aug;27(6):802.e1-4 - PubMed
  16. J Orthop Trauma. 2002 Sep;16(8):572-7 - PubMed
  17. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1976 Oct;58(7):1016-20 - PubMed
  18. Ortop Traumatol Rehabil. 2013 Jun 28;15(3):269-71 - PubMed
  19. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2011 Nov 15;78(6):840-6 - PubMed
  20. Orthopedics. 2013 Aug;36(8):619-24 - PubMed
  21. Surg Clin North Am. 1983 Jun;63(3):539-65 - PubMed
  22. Hand Surg. 2014;19(1):99-102 - PubMed
  23. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1975 Nov-Dec;(113):43-51 - PubMed
  24. J Trauma. 1999 Apr;46(4):613-6; discussion 617-8 - PubMed
  25. J Orthop Trauma. 2012 Dec;26(12):699-702 - PubMed
  26. J Trauma. 2009 Oct;67(4):735-41 - PubMed
  27. J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong). 2012 Dec;20(3):312-5 - PubMed
  28. Perspect Vasc Surg Endovasc Ther. 2011 Jun;23 (2):119-24 - PubMed
  29. J Pediatr Orthop. 2007 Apr-May;27(3):311-3 - PubMed
  30. J Orthop Trauma. 2009 Aug;23(7):514-8 - PubMed
  31. Arch Surg. 1998 May;133(5):547-51 - PubMed
  32. J Hand Surg Am. 2012 Feb;37(2):297-302 - PubMed
  33. Pain Med. 2014 Feb;15(2):316-9 - PubMed
  34. J Orthop Traumatol. 2012 Sep;13(3):153-7 - PubMed
  35. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1981 Mar;63(3):449-53 - PubMed
  36. Int Orthop. 2011 Apr;35(4):569-75 - PubMed
  37. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1996 Jan;78(1):99-104 - PubMed
  38. Emerg Med J. 2005 Nov;22(11):814 - PubMed
  39. Lancet. 2013 Nov 16;382(9905):1678 - PubMed
  40. Am J Emerg Med. 2013 May;31(5):890.e3-4 - PubMed
  41. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2010 Feb 15;75(3):362-5 - PubMed
  42. Am Surg. 2007 Dec;73(12 ):1199-209 - PubMed

Publication Types