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Non-infective subcutaneous emphysema of the hand—is fasciotomy required?

  • Case Report
  • Published:
European Orthopaedics and Traumatology

Abstract

Background

Presence of gas in the subcutaneous tissue in a limb is always worrisome. Majority of the cases occur due to infection by gas-forming organism and less commonly due to non-infectious causes.

Case report

We report a case of 52-year-old male who presented with an acute onset rapidly spreading swelling of the hand and forearm following a minor splinter injury. There was no distal neurovascular compromise. He underwent an emergency fasciotomy.

Discussion

Here we discuss about non-infective subcutaneous emphysema of the limbs and the need to be aware of this potentially harmless condition. We believe that even in minor injuries resulting in extensive non-infective emphysema, a prophylactic decompression even in the absence of neurovascular compromise would be a prudent action, which does not necessarily lead to increased morbidity.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Good Hope Hospital NHS Trust, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B75 7RR, UK

    Sitaram Giri, Mahesh Thibbaiah & Brian Banerjee

Authors
  1. Sitaram Giri
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  2. Mahesh Thibbaiah
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  3. Brian Banerjee
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sitaram Giri.

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Giri, S., Thibbaiah, M. & Banerjee, B. Non-infective subcutaneous emphysema of the hand—is fasciotomy required?. Eur Orthop Traumatol 2, 55–57 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12570-011-0043-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12570-011-0043-0

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