Modified Whiteside method plus vacuum sealing drainage in the treatment of osteofascial compartment syndrome / 中华创伤骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate an early diagnostic method and a rapid efficient treatment method to teat osteofascial compartment syndrome(OCS). Methods From January 2007 through December 2008,16 male patients with OCS were treated in our department.They were aged from 15 to 55 years (average,32 years).Twelve patients had OCS at the leg and 4 at the foot.All patients had no vascular or nerval injury.The modified Whiteside method was used to measure the pressue of the osteofascial compartment.All patients were treated with open decompression and vacuum sealing drainage (VSD).After swelling subsided,the wounds were directly sutured,decompresively sutured or treated with skin grafting. Merchant scoring was used to evaluate the postoperative efficacy in terms of limb-affected function,pain,gait,joint function,joint stability and range of motion. Results All patients were followed up for 12 to 14 months (average,13 months).All incisions closed up.Fourteen patients obtained excellent recovery of the function and sensation of the distal limb-affected;one patient had hypoesthesia and numbness at the the distal limb-affected; one patient had contracture,numbness and functional disturbance.By the Merchant scoring system,9 cases were excellent,5 good and 2 fair,giving a good to excellent rate of 87.5％. Conclusions The modified Whiteside method used to meausre the interstitial pressure is a reliable early diagnostic method for OCS.Decompression plus VSD may lead to rapid and efficient treatment of OCS and a reduced disability rate of the limb-affected.