Osteofascial compartment pressure measurement in closed limb injuries - Whitesides' technique revisited

IntroductionRegular monitoring of tissue compartmental pressures and hence a timely intervention in patients with impending compartment syndrome has been shown to prevent morbidity and permanent disability.Material and methodsIntra-compartmental pressure in flexor compartment of forearm and various compartments of legs following recent trauma presenting within 6 h of injury was carried out in 30 subjects using Whitesides' technique and patients were classified into 3 categories for treatment purposes i.e., Category I: pressure <30 mmHg, Category II: pressure 30-40 mmHg and Category III: pressure >40 mmHg.ResultsCategory I had 17 subjects, Category II had 6 subjects whereas 7 subjects fell into Category III. 6 patients out of the 30 studied needed fasciotomy, out of which 5 had fair or good result.ConclusionWhitesides' technique, though not much widely favoured, is a safe, inexpensive, easily assembled and reliable method for measurement of intra-compartmental pressure as a guide for decompression.