Compartment Syndrome (1*) Flashcards
What is this?
What is the structure of a muscle compartment?
→ What’s the effect with a pressure increase?
It can be acute or chronic. What is acute usually associated with?
What is Chronic Compartment Syndrome?
➊ Raised pressure within a fascial compartment, cutting off blood flow to further areas
➋ Contains muscles, nerves and vessels, surrounded by a non-expandable fascia
→ The lower pressure systems i.e. venous are affected first – Venous outflow blocked while arterial inflow remains unaffected
➌ Acute injury where bleeding or oedema increases the compartmental pressure
➍ Symptoms only come on exertion as the pressure in the compartment rises, and resolves during rest
Presentation:
What does it usually present after?
What are the 5 P’s of its presentation?
What differentiates it from acute limb ischaemia?
➊ An acute injury, particularly bone fractures and crush injuries
➋ • Unproportional Pain – So severe that analgesics aren’t effective (This comes on with passive stretch)
• Paresthesia
• Pale
• Pressure
• Paralysis – Late and worrying feature
➌ Won’t be pulseless
• Only becomes pulseless at the very late stages when arterial inflow becomes affected
What are its complications?
How is it managed?
➊ • Reperfusion injury
• Rhabdomyolysis (monitor with CK)
• Acute limb ischaemia (monitor with pulse)
➋ • Fasciotomy
• Elevate legs
• Maintain good BP
