Abstract
Background
Extremity compartment syndrome is a recognized complication of trauma. We evaluated
its prevalence and outcomes at a suburban level 1 trauma center.
Methods
The trauma registry was reviewed for all blunt trauma patients aged ≥18 years, admitted
between 2010 and 2014. Chart review of patients with extremity compartment syndrome
was performed.
Results
Of 6180 adult blunt trauma admissions, 83 patients developed 86 extremity compartment
syndromes; two patients had compartment syndromes on multiple locations. Their (n = 83) median age was 44 years (interquartile range: 31.5-55.5). The most common mechanism
of injury was motor vehicle/motor cycle accident (45.8%) followed by a fall (21.7%).
The median injury severity score was 9 (interquartile range: 5-17); 65.1% had extremity
abbreviate injury score ≥3. Notably, 15 compartment syndromes did not have an underlying
fracture. Among patients with fractures, the most commonly injured bone was the tibia,
with tibial plateau followed by tibial diaphyseal fractures being the most frequent
locations. Fasciotomies were performed, in order of frequency, in the leg (n = 53), forearm (n = 15), thigh (n = 9), foot (n = 5), followed by multiple or other locations.
Conclusions
Extremity compartment syndrome was a relatively uncommon finding. It occurred in all
extremity locations, with or without an associated underlying fracture, and from a
variety of mechanisms. Vigilance is warranted in evaluating the compartments of patients
with extremity injuries following blunt trauma.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 10, 2017
Accepted:
May 2,
2017
Received in revised form:
April 1,
2017
Received:
December 23,
2016
Footnotes
This manuscript was presented in part at the 11th annual Academic Surgical Congress in Jacksonville, Florida, February 2-4, 2016.
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
