[Acute compartment syndrome as a complication of a distal forearm fracture: apropos of a case of a child].
OBJECTIVE
We describe a case of acute volar compartment syndrome of the forearm occurred after fracture of the diaphyseal-metaphyseal junction of the distal radius and ulna.


METHODS
A 7-year-old child fell down steps and injured his left forearm.


METHODS
After reduction, the patient developed clinical signs of volar forearm compartment syndrome. Measurement of intramuscular pressure by the saline injection technique confirmed the diagnosis.


RESULTS
Early decompressive fasciotomy led to uneventful healing with no residual symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
We discuss the mechanism, diagnosis and treatment of this injury.


CONCLUSIONS
The development of suspicious clinical signs should be supplemented by compartment pressure measurements to determine the need of surgical decompression.
Guiral
J
J
Service d'Orthopédie et Traumatologie, Hôpital Général, Segovia, Espagne.
Acosta
J P
JP
De Benito
J I
JI
D000208:Acute Disease; D002370:Casts, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D000071938:Fasciotomy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011379:Prognosis; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation; D014458:Ulna Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery
Syndrome aigu de la loge antérieure de l'avant-bras après fracture distale des deux os: à propos d'un cas chez un enfant.