Comparing the methods of measuring compartment pressures in acute compartment syndrome

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to compare the reliability and accuracy of published methods of measuring intramuscular compartment pressures. A muscle compartment model was constructed. Pressure was standardized using a water column exerting pressure on a muscle slab. The following three methods of intracompartmental pressure were used to measure the pressure within the muscle slab of the model: (1) Stryker, (2) manometric IV pump, and (3) Whitesides method. The Stryker and IV pump methods were similarly accurate compared with the “standard pressure.” The Whitesides method was not reliable in measuring a reproducible pressure. The IV pump method is comparable to the Stryker instrument in terms of accuracy and ease of use. If a Stryker instrument is unavailable, the IV pump method can serve as a suitable and satisfactory alternative. (Am J Emerg Med 2003;21:143-145. Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.)