title: The significance of the three volar spaces in forearm compartment syndrome: a clinical and cadaveric correlation.
abstract: The goal of this study was to assess the importance of the 3 volar spaces in forearm compartment syndrome in a prospective manner. A cadaveric model was developed to correlate with our clinical experience. All but 1 of 21 volar compartments (superficial volar, deep volar, and pronator quadratus spaces) in 7 patients in our clinical series decompressed adequately after release of the superficial volar fascia. One patient needed further release of the pronator quadratus compartment; he had suffered a combined crush and vascular injury. All volar compartments in our cadaveric model decompressed with superficial fasciotomy. Prefasciotomy and postfasciotomy pressures should be obtained from all 3 compartments of the volar forearm. Superficial fasciotomy usually adequately decompresses the entire volar forearm; however, in the event that deep compartment pressures remain high after superficial fasciotomy, release of the affected space is indicated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Steinberg
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Pepe
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Beredjiklian
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002102:Cadaver; D002648:Child; D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005542:Forearm / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005543:Forearm Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011312:Pressure; D011446:Prospective Studies