Acute compartment syndrome of the thigh. A spectrum of injury

Twenty-one compartment syndromes of the thigh in seventeen patients were identified for retrospective review. Ten of the compartment syndromes were associated with an ipsilateral femoral fracture; five of these femoral fractures were open. In five patients, the syndrome followed femoral intramedullary stabilization. The remaining eleven syndromes followed blunt trauma to the thigh, prolonged compression by body weight, or vascular injury. The patients who were awake and alert at the time of the examination complained of intense pain in the thigh, and they had neuromuscular deficits. For the patients who could not cooperate with a subjective physical examination because they were under general anesthesia or because of associated injuries, the measurement of compartment pressure assumed a more important diagnostic role. All of the patients had tense swelling of the involved thigh. The predisposing risk factors for the development of compartment syndromes of the thigh, which are common in the multiply injured population, include: systemic hypotension, a history of external compression of the thigh, the use of military antishock trousers, coagulopathy, vascular injury, and trauma to the thigh, with or without a fracture of the femur. In approximately one-half of these patients, a crush syndrome developed, with myoglobinuria, renal failure, and collapse of multiple organ systems. Eight patients (47 per cent) died as a result of multiple injuries. Of the nine patients (ten compartment syndromes) who survived, infection developed at the site of the fasciotomy in six. Follow-up examination revealed marked morbidity, including sensory deficit and motor weakness of the lower extremity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Simulation of compartment syndrome by rupture of the deep femoral artery from blunt trauma

Life-threatening hemorrhage of the femoral vasculature from a blunt injury to the thigh without femoral fracture has not been emphasized in the medical literature. Two cases of massive hemorrhage from the deep femoral system resulted from blunt injury to the thigh without femoral fracture. In the first case, a diagnosis of compartment syndrome was based on muscle swelling from the blunt trauma. A fasciotomy uncovered life-threatening bleeding. In the second case, which had a similar history and clinical symptoms, a vascular injury was suspected and an arteriogram was done. Disruption of the deep femoral arterial system was detected, and fluoroscopic embolization controlled the bleeding. A routine fasciotomy was then done. Both patients appeared clinically to have a thigh compartment syndrome, presumably based on injury from the crushed muscle. They both had normal arterial pulsations distal to the injured thigh. The only feature that suggested a vascular injury was a need for transfusion for hemodynamic support in excess of apparent blood loss. Arteriography, with embolization if necessary, is advised for all cases of suspected thigh compartment syndrome in which there is an unexplained need for hemodynamic support by transfusion.     

Clinical practice guidelines for the management of acute limb compartment syndrome following trauma

Background: Acute compartment syndrome is a serious and not uncommon complication of limb trauma. The condition is a surgical emergency, and is associated with significant morbidity if not managed appropriately. There is variation in management of acute limb compartment syndrome in Australia. Methods: Clinical practice guidelines for the management of acute limb compartment syndrome following trauma were developed in accordance with Australian National Health and Medical Research Council recommendations. The guidelines were based on critically appraised literature evidence and the consensus opinion of a multidisciplinary team involved in trauma management who met in a nominal panel process. Results: Recommendations were developed for key decision nodes in the patient care pathway, including methods of diagnosis in alert and unconscious patients, appropriate assessment of compartment pressure, timing and technique of fasciotomy, fasciotomy wound management, and prevention of compartment syndrome in patients with limb injuries. The recommendations were largely consensus based in the absence of well‐designed clinical trial evidence. Conclusions: Clinical practice guidelines for the management of acute limb compartment syndrome following trauma have been developed that will support consistency in management and optimize patient health outcomes.     

Compartment syndrome of the thigh

Compartment syndrome in the thigh is an uncommon condition. Most of the patients have multiple injuries. The main etiological factors are ipsilateral fractures of the femur and isolated severe soft-tissue injuries following blunt trauma. If the diagnosis is made clinically, compartment syndrome is treated by lateral incision of the thigh with incision of the fascia lata and the lateral intermuscular septum. Dermatofasciotomy does not lead to severe complications. In the follow-up there is no functional loss or neurological deficit. The indications for decompressive fasciotomy should be broad.     

Compartment syndrome of the thigh: A systematic review

Introduction

Thigh compartment syndrome is a surgical emergency with risk of high morbidity and mortality rates. The purpose of this study was to review the available evidence regarding the causes of thigh compartment syndrome, techniques of fasciotomy (specifically, one versus two incisions), methods of wound closure, and complications.

Methods

This institutional review board-exempt study was performed at a level-one trauma centre. PubMed and Medline OVID databases in the English language were searched for case series of two or more cases of compartment syndrome of the thigh. Cases were reviewed and analysed for causes of thigh compartment syndrome, number of fasciotomy incisions, methods of wound closure, and complications.

Results

A total of 9 papers met our criteria. All were retrospective case studies comprising a total of 89 patients. The most common cause was blunt trauma (90%). Motor vehicle accidents accounted for 36% of cases whilst motorcycle accidents were involved in 9%. Associated injuries included femur fractures in 48%, other limb fractures, renal, cardiovascular and head insults. Eighty-six percent of fasciotomies were performed through a single incision. Fifty-nine percent of fasciotomy wounds were closed by delayed primary closure, 26% had split-thickness skin grafts, and 15% had primary wound closure. Neurological deficits were the most common complications.

Conclusion

There are limited data on thigh compartment syndrome with respect to cause, use of one versus two incisions for fasciotomy, methods of wound closure, and complication rates. Prospective studies are required to better define these variables in order to optimise the management of this problem.     

Clinical spectrum of acute compartment syndrome of the thigh and its relation to associated injuries

The reason for the described clinical variability of acute compartment syndrome of the thigh, with high morbidity and mortality in some patients and an uncomplicated clinical course in others, is not known. To better define the clinical spectrum and factors determining the clinical course of this rare clinical entity, we did a retrospective multicenter study of 28 patients with 29 thigh compartment syndromes. The leading cause of acute thigh compartment syndrome was blunt trauma from motor vehicle accidents (46%) or contusion (39%). Pain with passive motion was present in all patients who were conscious, followed by paresthesia (60%), and paralysis (42%). The anterior compartment was involved most frequently with mean compartment pressure of 58 +/- 3 mm Hg. Myonecrosis, sepsis, and need for skin grafting were observed more frequently in patients with ipsilateral femur fracture. Only 7% of patients with isolated thigh compartment syndromes had short-term complications compared with 57% of patients with ipsilateral femur fractures. The incidence of complications correlated with the time to fasciotomy. Mortality was limited to patients with high injury severity scores. The clinical spectrum of thigh compartment syndrome is comparable with that of other compartment syndromes and its clinical course is determined by its associated injuries.     

Optimal limb salvage in penetrating civilian vascular trauma

To evaluate current treatment of peripheral vascular trauma, we reviewed our recent experience with noniatrogenic penetrating vascular injuries of the extremities. Between 1979 and 1984, 139 patients sustained 204 vascular injuries inflicted by single gunshots (64%), stabbings (24%), and shotguns (12%). Eighty-four percent of patients underwent preoperative arteriography, which revealed occult arterial injury in 13 patients (9%). Compartmental hypertension necessitated fasciotomy in 19% of patients and was required more often after combined arterial and venous injuries (29%) than after isolated arterial injury (14%). Arterial continuity was restored by interposition grafting with reversed saphenous vein (62%), end-to-end anastomosis (19%), vein patch angioplasty (8%), or primary repair (4%). After arterial repair, completion angiography detected the need for revision in 8% of patients. Arterial ligation was performed in 7% of injuries and was only used in the treatment of tibial and distal profunda femoris injuries. Forty-five percent of patients sustained concomitant venous injury; 64% of all venous injuries and 90% of femoropopliteal venous injuries were repaired. No deaths occurred, and a single patient required amputation. We conclude that a protocol of preoperative arteriography, liberal. use of fasciotomy, frequent use of autologous interposition grafts, repair of major venous injuries, and routine use of completion arteriography can result in limb salvage rates that approach 100% after penetrating vascular trauma to the extremities.     

Does open fasciotomy contribute to morbidity and mortality after acute lower extremity ischemia and revascularization?

A retrospective review was undertaken of 127 lower extremity fasciotomies performed for compartment syndrome after acute ischemia and revascularization in 73 patients with vascular trauma and 49 patients with arterial occlusive disease. One hundred twelve (88%) fasciotomies were performed early (at the time revascularization); 15 (12%) were delayed because of late compartment syndrome diagnosis. Ninety-four (77%) patients had more than one accepted indication for fasciotomy. Double-incision fasciotomy was used in 98 (77%) extremities, single-incision fasciotomy was used in 19 (15%), and fasciotomy-fibulectomy was used in 10 (8%). Fasciotomies were closed in 88 (69%) patients an average of 14 days after surgery. Seven patients needed multiple skin grafting procedures or myocutaneous flaps to close the wound; none compromised limb salvage. Five other patients had minor wound infections that resolved. Functional status returned to preoperative levels by the time of discharge from the hospital in 59 (48%) patients. Thirty-one (24%) patients had residual lower extremity disability related to delayed union of the fracture (five), chronic neuropathy (20), leg swelling (one), or ischemic nonhealing fasciotomy wounds (three); two patients had unrelated disabilities. Fourteen (11%) amputations were required for refractory limb ischemia; two (1.6%) were required for wet gangrene of the foot, which infected the fasciotomy site; the others had open noninfected incisions. Eighteen (15%) patients died of cardiopulmonary failure or multisystem failure or both, without fasciotomy-related problems. Open fasciotomy for compartment syndrome after acute lower extremity ischemia and revascularization was associated with an increased risk of minor wound morbidity. However, limb loss and death resulted from persistent ischemia and underlying systemic disease processes or injuries, but not from open fasciotomy wound complications.     

Thigh compartment syndrome in urban trauma: bullets to blame,not collisions

Background

Compartment syndrome of the thigh is a surgical emergency rarely reported in the literature. The most common etiologies include blunt trauma, vascular injuries from penetrating trauma, and hematoma formation. Thigh compartment syndrome (TCS) is important as it is often associated with concomitant severe injury with mortality rates as high as 47%. This study aims to identify mechanisms of injury, clinical presentation, and outcomes associated with TCS in the urban trauma patient population.

Methods

Demographic and clinical information for all patients with a diagnosis of TCS at a level 1 urban trauma center over a 10.5-y period were reviewed. Collected data included age, sex, mechanism of injury, method of diagnosis, time taken for diagnosis and management, methods of decompression, wound management, lengths of stay in the intensive care unit and hospital, amputation rate, and hospital disposition.

Results

Ten patients were identified with diagnosis of TCS. The mechanism of injury was penetrating in six patients and blunt in four. The mean time from injury to diagnosis was 23.4 h. Intensive care unit and hospital lengths of stay were significantly increased among patients sustaining penetrating injuries compared with blunt injuries. Two of the six penetrating injury patients underwent an amputation. Eight of 10 patients were ambulatory on discharge. There were no mortalities.

Conclusions

Among urban trauma patients, penetrating injuries of the thigh and adjacent vascular structures and the need for decompressive fasciotomy of the lower leg are the major risk factors for TCS. Clinical diagnosis and early intervention with fasciotomy remain the mainstay of treatment.     

Das Kompartmentsyndrom am Oberschenkel mit Ischiadikusparese

Acute compartment syndrome of the thigh has been infrequently reported in the literature. Closed femoral fractures and blunt soft tissue trauma are the main causes of this injury. The multiple injured patient in this case report developed a compartment syndrome of the thigh after intramedullary nailing of a comminuted fracture of the femur. Fasciotomy was performed two days after surgery because of extense swelling of the thigh in the ventilated and sedated patient. Sciatic and femoral nerve palsy was recognized after extubation of the patient nine days after the injury. During the following weeks the paresis of the femoral nerve recovered but neither motor nor sensory function of the sciatic nerve could be demonstrated. Therefore an operative revision of the sciatic nerve was performed eighteen weeks after trauma. No direct nerve injury could be detected but there were adhesions around the nerve as a sign of compression neuropathy caused by the compartment syndrome. The tibial component of the sciatic nerve showed a complete recovery within the next months but there was a persisting peroneal nerve palsy. CONCLUSION: Early clinical symptoms of a compartment syndrome like pain, paresthesia and paresis can not be ascertained in a ventilated and sedated patient. Tense swelling of the muscles is often the only detectable sign. Frequent measurements of compartment pressure should be done in these patients. We suggest early decompressive fasciotomy because the morbidity caused by fasciotomy in a borderline compartment syndrome is far outweighed by the morbidity that accompanies an undiagnosed untreated compartment syndrome with possible nerve palsy.     

Popliteal vascular trauma. A community experience

Preventing amputation continues to be a significant challenge when popliteal vascular injuries occur. A retrospective review of cases from the San Diego County (California) Trauma System identified 108 patients with 76 blunt and 32 penetrating arterial injuries. The limb preservation rate was 88%; there were 13 amputations. The fracture-dislocated knee injury and close-range shotgun blasts were particularly limb threatening. In general, the trauma system achieved rapid evaluation of injuries and early operative intervention. All 13 patients who underwent amputations presented with signs of severe ischemia. Concomitant injuries to the popliteal vein, tibial nerves, and soft tissue were significantly more frequent in patients who underwent amputations. The importance of complete fasciotomy for compartment hypertension, early reconstructive management of soft-tissue injuries, and expeditious arterial repair, frequently without preoperative roentgenographic suite arteriography, is emphasized. An aggressive, multidisciplinary approach is required to achieve a functional extremity when popliteal vascular trauma occurs.     

The continuing challenge of popliteal vascular injuries

During a 6 year period, 35 patients with 56 popliteal vascular injuries were treated. Thirty-three arteries and 23 popliteal veins were affected. Fifty-four percent of the patients had both an arterial and a venous injury. Twenty injuries were due to penetrating trauma and 15 injuries to blunt force. An overall amputation rate of 16 percent followed attempts at vascular repair. Blunt injuries were associated with a 30 percent amputation rate, whereas penetrating injuries were associated with only a 5 percent amputation rate. When our results were reviewed and compared with those of others, several factors important for determining the rate of limb salvage in popliteal vascular injuries were noted: (1) early recognition and prompt treatment, (2) absence of blunt injury with attendant soft tissue damage; (3) resection of damaged arterial tissue with end-to-end anastomosis or saphenous vein grafting in conjunction with the liberal employment of local heparin and a Fogarty catheter thrombectomy, (4) repair of concomitant popliteal venous injuries; (5) use of completion arteriography to reveal technical errors amenable to correction at time of operation; and (6) fasciotomy, used liberally but selectively.     

Acute Anterior Thigh Compartment Syndrome Revisited: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract We present a rare case of acute anterior compartment syndrome of the thigh in a rugby player with no history of trauma during the game. Decompressive fasciotomy with subsequent closure of the wound resulted in good outcome. Acute compartment syndrome of the thigh should be suspected following vigorous exercise and fasciotomy is to be performed on urgent basis.     

Early fasciotomy for acute clinically evident posttraumatic compartment syndrome

Our understanding of the effectiveness of early decompressive fasciotomy for acute posttraumatic compartment syndrome is incomplete. Thirty-two patients who developed acute clinically evident compartment syndrome (23 in the leg, 9 in the forearm) were treated with decompressive fasciotomy an average of 16 hours after injury. Thirty patients (94 percent) underwent fasciotomy in conjunction with other urgent operative procedures mandated by concomitant injuries. Three patients required early amputation for a failed arterial repair. Only 2 of 29 patients with limb salvage (7 percent) had postoperative myoneural deficits after decompressive fasciotomy. Both of these patients had preoperative myoneural deficits. Decompressive fasciotomy before the development of ischemic myoneural deficits prevents the ischemic sequelae of acute clinically evident compartment syndrome.     

Advances in the management of acute popliteal vascular blunt injuries

This report evaluates critical points in the management of 30 consecutive blunt traumatic popliteal vascular injuries. All arterial injuries were diagnosed both clinically and by Doppler and PVR examinations. Twenty-eight of the 30 arterial reconstructions required interposition bypass grafts, nine of which were PTFE and the remainder were autogenous saphenous veins. In 19 patients the distal anastomosis was made to the distal popliteal artery and in nine patients to the tibial-peroneal arteries. In ten patients in whom limb survival was threatened, the ischemic time was shortened by the use of temporary Silastic shunt for rapid restoration of arterial flow. Nine patients had associated venous injuries which were repaired. Nine of the first 14 patients required fasciotomy but the last 16 patients were treated with hypertonic mannitol and only two of them required fasciotomy. There were no amputations, but in four limbs there were functional losses. In spite of the more extensive damage of blunt trauma, prompt and aggressive management aided by vascular laboratory tests, indwelling shunt, and hypertonic mannitol is rewarded with preservation of limbs following acute popliteal vascular injuries.     

Anatomic location of penetrating lower-extremity trauma predicts compartment syndrome development

Background

Compartment syndrome of the lower extremity can be a difficult diagnosis to make with serious consequences if diagnosis and intervention is delayed. Identifying patients who are more likely to develop this syndrome can help prevent the associated complications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the anatomic location of the penetrating lower-extremity injuries can predict development of compartment syndrome.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was performed of all patients admitted for a minimum of 23 hours to the University of South Alabama trauma center for penetrating lower-extremity trauma during the 8-year period from July 1998 through June 2006. Patients were entered in the study if wound trajectory was confined to the lower extremity between the inguinal ligament and the ankle. Injuries were categorized as above knee (AK) or below knee (BK), and whether the injury was in the proximal or distal half of the extremity segment. Clinical examination or compartmental pressures were used to diagnose BK compartment syndrome.

Results

A total of 321 patients sustained 393 lower-extremity injuries during the study period, of which 255 (65%) were AK and 138 (35%) were BK. Thirty-one (8%) lower extremities developed BK compartment syndrome with 29 (94%) secondary to penetrating injuries of the BK segment. All BK injuries that developed compartment syndrome were located in the proximal half of the BK segment. Eighteen (7%) AK injuries underwent BK 4-compartment fasciotomy, 16 (6%) of which were prophylactic after surgical intervention for AK vascular injury. Two patients (1%) developed postoperative BK compartment syndrome after superficial femoral vein ligation. All AK injuries that underwent fasciotomy sustained vascular injuries requiring surgical intervention. No BK compartment syndromes occurred in any patients with expectantly managed AK or distal BK injuries.

Conclusions

Injuries to the proximal half of the BK segment are the most common cause for the development of compartment syndrome from penetrating injuries of the lower extremity. Development of BK compartment syndrome because of penetrating AK injury is rare without an associated surgically significant vascular injury. Observational admission for compartment syndrome development in patients with penetrating injury to the AK segment or distal BK segment is unnecessary.     

Popliteal artery trauma: a high risk injury

The clinical presentation and management of 28 popliteal artery injuries following penetrating and blunt trauma during a 6 year period is reviewed. Clinical and Doppler evaluation identified an arterial injury in 24 (85 per cent) patients. In eight (29 per cent) patients with arteriovenous fistulae or false aneurysms, pedal pulses were palpable during initial assessment. Three (10.7 per cent) patients had limb amputation attributable to delayed vascular repair, crush injury and sepsis. End-to-end arterial repair following blunt trauma resulted in early failure with thrombosis in two patients. Autogenous vein grafting was used in 12 patients and is advocated in all blunt popliteal arterial injuries. Routine repair of associated venous injuries and liberal criteria for early fasciotomy were used. Exoskeletal fixation or skeletal traction for compound and comminuted fractures is recommended for simplicity of application and wound management. The significant functional orthopaedic disability following blunt arterial trauma at the knee is emphasized.     

Long term results of compartment syndrome of the lower limb in polytraumatised patients

Acute compartment syndrome represents a severe complication after trauma of the lower extremity. To date, there is limited knowledge about the outcome of compartment syndrome of the lower limb in patients with multiple injuries. We hypothesised that multiple injuries worsen the long term results of compartment syndrome of the lower leg. Patients who underwent fasciotomy for established compartment syndrome of the lower leg from 1999 to 2004 in our level 1 trauma centre were included. Demographic data, additional injuries (Injury Severity Score) and method of treatment were analysed. Outcome assessments included clinical examination and isokinetic strength testing of plantar flexion and dorsal extension at two different angular velocities (60 degrees /s; 120 degrees /s). The mean age was 38.0+/-4.4 years at the time of injury; males were affected twice as often as females. The mean ISS of patients with multiple injuries was 20.2+/-2.3 points. The time between admission and surgical treatment of compartment syndrome was extended in patients with multiple injuries (38.6+/-13.8h versus 13.2+/-3.8h; p=0.04). At follow-up, 15.4% of all patients complained of pain at rest and 26.9% reported pain on exertion. A significant reduction of torque and work was found in the dorsal extensors on the injured side (p<0.05). Polytraumatised patients did not show extended weakness compared to those with isolated injuries. No difference was seen between the two groups regarding pain and function. Polytraumatised patients did not suffer from worse long term effects regarding sensory or motor deficits. Associated injuries did not seem to influence the outcome of the compartment syndrome.     

Beneficial effects of hypertonic mannitol in acute ischemia—reperfusion injuries in humans

Acute ischemia-reperfusion of extremities is characterized by edema, compartment syndrome and neuromuscular dysfunction. Intravenous hypertonic mannitol has been shown to be of benefit in several experimental models. The authors' 5-year experience with the use of hypertonic mannitol and the treatment of acute ischemia reperfusion injuries in humans has been reviewed. Some 186 patients with acute arterial occlusion following thromboembolism (149) and trauma (37) were treated. Hypertonic mannitol (25g intravenous bolus followed by 5–10g intravenous/h) was given perioperatively. Length of preoperative ischemia varied from 1 to 24 h. Some 57.5% of patients had preoperative neuromuscular dysfunction. Following revascularization, limb salvage was obtained in 97.7% of surviving patients and neuromuscular dysfunction improved in 89%. Overall, 15% required fasciotomy. The mortality rate was 3.2%. These data suggest that hypertonic mannitol may have some protective effect in acute ischemia-reperfusion injuries of human extremities. It may decrease the need for fasciotomy and minimize neuromuscular dysfunction.     

Quadriceps contusion with compartment syndrome: Evacuation of hematoma in 2 cases

A high intramuscular pressure due to contusion with hematoma developed in the thigh of 2 athletes after moderate blunt muscle trauma. The pain became severe a few hours after the trauma. In both patients a fasciotomy and evacuation of the hematoma was performed. In 1 of the patients, a computed tomogram verified the hematoma preoperatively. The postoperative course was uneventful. A compartment syndrome associated with a major hematoma should be considered as a cause of progressive pain at rest after blunt muscle trauma.