Kluckner et al reported factors associated with the need to perform fasciotomy in a lower extremity following arterial trauma. This was performed to prevent an acute compartment syndrome. The authors are from Medical University Innsbruck.
Patient selection: lower extremity arterial vascular trauma
Predictors of the compartment syndrome and need for fasciotomy:
(1) male gender
(2) ischemia duration > 2.5 hours
(3) limb ischemia Rutherford grade IIa or greater
(4) popliteal artery segment 3
(5) transection or occlusion of the artery
(6) work-related trauma
Duration of ischemia was the strongest predictor.
The presence of multiple predictors can identify a patient who should be evaluated for fasciotomy.
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Specialty: Surgery, orthopedic, Emergency Medicine
