Chronic Compartment Syndrome

Abstract

In brief Twenty fasciotomies were done in 12 patients who had chronic compartment syndrome (CCS). The patients completed a survey 6 to 24 months afterward in which they indicated their degree of satisfaction with their current level of function. Seven patients (58%) had a resting pressure of 12 mm Hg or less, which is below the current recommended level for surgical intervention. Ten (83%) of the patients reported satisfaction with the surgical outcome. These results show that fasciotomy may be appropriate treatment for CCS even when preoperative resting pressures are 12 mm Hg or less. The decision to do surgery should be based on history and physical examination as well as compartment pressures.