Surgical Emergencies
A 28-year-old man presents 4 hours after a closed tibial shaft fracture sustained in a motorcycle accident. He has severe pain despite adequate analgesia, pain with passive toe extension, and a tense anterior leg compartment. His diastolic blood pressure is 85 mmHg and measured anterior compartment pressure is 55 mmHg. The trauma team prepares for urgent fasciotomy. Regarding compartment syndrome:
Mark each as TRUE or FALSE
Compartment syndrome occurs when elevated intracompartmental pressure compromises tissue perfusion; ...
Pain out of proportion to injury and pain with passive stretch of involved muscles are the earliest ...
Pulselessness is an early reliable sign required for diagnosis; arterial inflow is typically comprom...
Irreversible muscle necrosis begins after 6-8 hours of ischemia; fasciotomy must be performed urgent...
Fasciotomy is the definitive treatment, requiring release of ALL compartments (leg has 4: anterior, ...
Answer the questions to see explanations
Click T (True) or F (False) for each option