Abstract
We studied 39 patients with 42 diaphyseal tibial fractures in whom we suspected a high risk for the development of a compartment syndrome. We measured the anterior absolute compartment pressure (ACP) every 12 h for 72 h and also recorded the differential pressure (ΔP=diastolic blood pressure−ACP). Fasciotomy of the extremity was only performed when the differential pressure was less than 30 mmHg for more than 30 min. The highest values of the ACP were recorded between 24 h and 36 h after admission. Three fractures had a differential pressure less than 30 mmHg and all were treated by fasciotomy. In three fractures the ACP was equal to or higher than 50 mmHg, of which two had a differential pressure less than 30 mmHg. The patients were followed up for a mean of 36 months (29–45). All fractures healed, and none of our patients showed any sequelae of compartment syndrome at their last review.
Résumé
Nous avons étudié 39 malades avec 42 fractures tibiales diaphysaires que nous avons suspecté d'un syndrome compartimental. Nous avons mesuré la pression du compartiment antérieure (ACP) chaque 12 h pendant 72 h et avons aussi enregistré la pression différentielle (ΔP=tension diastolique−ACP). Une fasciotomie de la jambe a été exécutée seulement quand la pression différentielle était inférieure à 30 mmHg pendant plus de 30 min. Les plus hautes valeurs de l'ACP ont été enregistrées entre 24 et 36 h après l'admission. Trois fractures avaient une pression différentielle de moins de 30 mmHg et toutes ont été traitées par fasciotomie. Dans trois fractures l'ACP était égale ou supérieure à 50 mmHg , avec, pour deux, une pression différentielle de moins de 30 mmHg. Les malades ont été suivis pendant une moyenne de 36 mois (29–45). Toutes les fractures ont guéri et aucun de nos malades n'a montré de séquelle d'un syndrome de compartiment à la dernière révision.
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Ozkayin, N., Aktuglu, K. Absolute compartment pressure versus differential pressure for the diagnosis of compartment syndrome in tibial fractures. International Orthopaedics (SICO 29, 396–401 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-005-0006-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-005-0006-6