Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
5653345 | Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma | 2016 | 4 Pages |
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 6Â 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 <30Â mmHg, Category II: pressure 30-40Â mmHg and Category III: pressure >40Â 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.