Skip to main content

Compartment Syndrome

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Pediatric Orthopedic Surgical Emergencies

Abstract

Early recognition and prompt treatment of compartment syndrome in children is essential to prevent long-term disability. Warning signs of a compartment syndrome in a child include pain out of proportion to the injury, increasing analgesic requirement, and anxiety and agitation in an otherwise healthy child. These symptoms demand careful examination of the child and prompt treatment by appropriate fasciotomy of the compartment(s) involved if there is sufficient evidence of compartment syndrome.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Willis RB, Rorabeck CH. Treatment of compartment syndrome in children. Orthop Clin North Am. 1990;21(2):401–12.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Gorczyga JT, Roberts CS, Prigh KJ, Ring D. Review of treatment and diagnosis of acute ­compartment syndrome of the calf: current evidence and best practices. Instr Course Lect. 2011;60:35–42.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Flynn JM, Bashyal RK, Yeger-McKeever M, Garner MR, Launay F, Sponseller PD. Acute traumatic compartment syndrome in children: diagnosis and outcome. JBJS Am. 2011;93(10):937–41.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Herman MJ, McCarthy J, Willis RB, Pizzutillo PD. Top 10 pediatric orthopaedic surgical emergencies: a case-based approach for the surgeon on call. Instr Course Lect. 2011;60:373–95.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Bae DS, Kadiyala RK, Waters PM. Acute compartment syndrome in children: contemporary diagnosis, treatment and outcome. JPO. 2001;21(5):680–8.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. McQueen MM, Gaston P, Court-Brown CM. Acute compartment syndrome. Who is at risk? JBJS (Br). 2008;82:200–3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Mubarak SJ, Owen CA, Hargens AR, et al. Acute compartment syndromes: diagnosis and treatment with the aid of the Wick catheter. JBJS (Am). 1978;60:1091–95.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Mubarak SJ, Carroll NC. Volkmann’s contracture in children: aetiology and prevention. JBJS (Br). 1979;61:285–93.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Prasun ML, Ouellette EA. Acute compartment syndrome of the upper extremity. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2011;19(1):49–58.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Matsen FA, Veith RG. Compartment Syndrome in Children. JPO. 1981;1:33–41.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Whitesides TE, Heckman MM. Acute compartment syndrome: update of diagnosis and treatment. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 1996;4:209–18.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Matava MJ, Whitesides TE, Seiter JG, et al. Determination of the compartment pressure threshold of muscle ischemia in a canine model. J Trauma. 1994;37:50–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Sheridan GW, Matsen FA. Fasciotomy in the treatment of the acute compartment syndrome. JBJS (Am). 1976;58:112–5.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Yuan PS, Pring ME, Gaynor TP, Mubarak SJ, Newton PO. Compartment syndrome following intramedullary fixation of pediatric forearm fractures. J Pediatr Orthop. 2004;24:370–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Large TM, Frick SL. Compartment syndrome of the leg after treatment of a femoral fracture with an early sitting spica cast. A report of two cases. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2003;85A: 2207–10.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Bourne RB, Rorabeck CH. Compartment syndromes of the lower leg. Clin Orthop Rel Res. 1989;240:97–104.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Baxter Willis .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Willis, B. (2012). Compartment Syndrome. In: Abzug, J., Herman, M. (eds) Pediatric Orthopedic Surgical Emergencies. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-8005-2_3

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-8005-2_3

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-8004-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-8005-2

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics