Compartment syndrome, a neglected diagnosis

ABSTRACT

To find out the frequency of compartment syndrome in extremities using Whitesides' infusion technique. Descriptive case series. Orthopedic Department of Hayatabad Medical Complex Peshawar, from April 2008 to April 2010. All patients with fractures, either open or closed, were clinicallay evaluated for compartment syndrome initially. All clinically suspected cases then underwent measurement of compartment pressure by Whitesides' infusion technique. There were thirty six patients in the study. Minimum age was 3 years and maximum 45 years with median age of 30 years. There were 25 [69.45%] males and 11 [30.55%] female patients. There were only two [2.77%] open fractures in this series. Two [5.55%] patients had femur fracture, 4 [11.11%] had radius/ulna fracture, one [3.33%] had supracondylar fracture of humerus and 24 [66.66%] tibia fracture. Five [13.88%] patients had injury to the foot. Minimum compartment pressure was 35 mmHg and maximum was 55 mmHg with a mean of 40 mm Hg. Traumatized limbs have high risk of developing compartment syndrome. A careful clinical examination at the time of admission and diligence with serial examinations of the extremity at risk, may identify majority of compartment syndrome patients. The pressure should then be measured to confirm compartment syndrome