Central compartment pressure monitoring following clubfoot release.
Thirty-nine clubfeet undergoing primary soft tissue release for idiopathic clubfoot deformity had intrinsic compartment pressure monitoring for 36 h after surgery. This was done to determine whether pressures might be elevated to levels, and for durations, such that an intrinsic compartment syndrome might develop. Two groups were identified: in group 1 (23 feet) pressures were never elevated to > 20 mm Hg; in group 2 (16 feet) pressures > 30 mm Hg for a duration of at least 12 h were found. In a subgroup of group 2 (4 of 16 feet), pressures were > 50 mm Hg for at least 12 h. There was no statistical correlation between pressure recordings and surgeon, tourniquet time, severity of deformity, extent of release, and type of cast used. Thus 40% of feet are at risk of developing pressures that could cause an intrinsic compartment syndrome.
Hanlon
M
M
Starship Auckland Children's Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.
Barnes
M
M
Lamb
G
G
Nicol
R
R
D003025:Clubfoot / Q000601:surgery*; D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011312:Pressure; D012008:Recurrence