Neonatal Volkmann's compartment syndrome. A report of two cases

Neonatal Volkmann's compartment syndrome is a rare entity. This diagnosis may be suspected when a case presents cutaneous damage associated with poor hand and wrist function after delivery. We present two such cases of neonatal Volkmann compartment syndrome with long term clinical and x-ray follow-up. In our patients, a hand surgeon was not consulted in the perinatal period and early fasciotomy was not performed. No particular aetiology or associated cerebrovascular accident was found. A series of operations was necessary in order to improve function of the hand. Neonatal Volkmann compartment syndrome must be recognised early in order to enable further investigation of any underlying condition and to perform early surgical decompression. Long term clinical and x-ray follow-up is necessary to prevent and treat wrist deformation and finger contractures.