title: Measurement of intracompartmental pressure: a comparison of the slit catheter, side-ported needle, and simple needle.
abstract: An experimental model of acute compartment syndrome involving the anterolateral compartment of the hindlimb in dogs was used to compare three methods of measurement of intracompartmental pressure: the simple-needle technique, use of the slit catheter, and use of the side-ported needle. No statistical difference was found between the values obtained with the slit catheter and those obtained with the side-ported needle; the mean difference was 1.4 millimeters of mercury throughout the range of compartment pressures that were measured. The side-ported needle appeared to be as accurate as the slit catheter for the measurement of compartment pressures (p = 0.355, 1-beta = 0.9). The values obtained with use of the simple needle were consistently higher than those obtained with the other two methods (p < 0.001): an average of 18.3 millimeters of mercury higher than the values measured with the slit catheter and 19.3 millimeters of mercury higher than those measured with the side-ported needle. Clinically, the side-ported needle or the slit catheter can be used to obtain accurate measurements of compartment pressure. Use of the simple 18-gauge needle is not recommended for this purpose.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan 48202-2689.
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Moed
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Thorderson
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004285:Dogs; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D009339:Needles; D011312:Pressure