title: [Compartment syndrome of the lower leg. Long-term results].
abstract: An analysis of 134 surgically treated compartment syndromes of the lower leg was combined with a long-term follow-up concerning late sequelae. Direct trauma including simple closed as well as severely comminuted open fractures of the tibia and fibula were predisposing factors for the development of a compartment syndrome. Clinical symptoms led to the correct diagnosis, supported by intracompartmental pressure measurements. A unilateral parafibular dermatofasciotomy involving opening all four compartments was the therapy of choice. Fifty-nine per cent of the patients had no late sequelae at the 4.2 year follow-up. 12% poor results were characterized by loss of function and neurological deficits. This group included 8 amputations above the knee due to ischemic/infectious muscle necrosis. The time interval between trauma and operation was found to be the main contributing factor to the poor results, with a delay of 23 h due to secondary referral of the patients. Fasciotomy per se showed only minimal morbidity and is strongly recommended as an emergency procedure.
authors.affiliation: Unfallchirurgische Klinik, Medizinischen Hochschule Hannover.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nerlich
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dziadzka
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Schmidt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000868:Anterior Compartment Syndrome / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D000071938:Fasciotomy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000601:surgery*
vernacular_title: Das Kompartmentsyndrom am Unterschenkel. Langzeitergebnisse.