Bilateral thigh compartment syndrome following intraoperative pelvic binder reduction of open pelvic fracture: a case report and review of literature

Abstract

Abstract Case A 22-year-old man with a type IIIA open AO/OTA 61C2.2b pelvis fracture and hypotension received exploratory laparotomy, temporary open ligation of the bilateral internal iliac arteries, and retroperitoneal packing. After prompt fracture debridement, a pelvic binder was positioned over the thighs as a reduction aid and maintained for six hours during pelvis open reduction internal fixation. Bilateral anterior thigh compartment syndrome was diagnosed three hours after packing and binder removal. Conclusion Prolonged application of a pelvic binder to the thighs as an intraoperative reduction tool, shortly after temporary internal iliac artery ligation, may be associated with reperfusion injury and thigh compartment syndrome.