A patient with a severe burn may develop a compartment syndrome in one or more extremities.
Risk factors for a compartment syndrome:
(1) failure to perform an adequate escharotomy-fasciotomy if indicated
(2) tight bandages
(3) excessive fluid overload
(4) concurrent trauma and/or vascular injury
(5) circumferential third or fourth degree burn
(6) failure to monitor tissue pressures as appropriate
The compartment pressure should be monitored if the limb is at risk. Pulses are not predictive of ischemia.
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Specialty: Emergency Medicine, Critical Care