Compartment Syndrome and Its Validation in Skeletal Injuries

Abstract

Background Compartment syndrome, a potential limb-threatening condition in acute traumatic situations following different modalities of injury, may lead to irreversible damage or even life risk later. Its differential time-bound clinical presentation with added observer bias on available invasive and noninvasive diagnostic modalities influences the decision-making and undue delay for early intervention toward limb salvage procedure. Results Thirty-two patients were included in our study with mean age of 36; males (18; 56.3%) were more injured than females (14; 43.8%) and left limb (17; 53.1%) was more involved than right (15; 46.9%). Mean calf muscle measurement of total injured limb with relation to immediate time was 39.9 cm, after 1 hour was 40.69 cm, after 2 hours was 41.06 cm, and after 3 hours was 41.40 cm; 95% confidence interval was found to be statistically significant. Three patients (9%) underwent emergency decompression fasciotomy, with an average mean of 41.4 cm for injured limbs against 38.5 cm in control limb. Conclusions Compartment syndrome is an acute emergency with potential irreversible damage when undiagnosed. Bias on diagnosis evolves around observer skills and clinical invasive and noninvasive methods, with differential statistical results pertaining to its decision-making for emergency fasciotomy.