title: Compartment Syndrome Following Arthroscopic Removal of a Bullet in the Knee Joint after a Low-Velocity Gunshot Injury.
abstract: Gunshot injuries are getting more frequently reported while the civilian (nongovernmental) armament increases in the world. A 42-year-old male patient presented to emergency room of Istanbul Medipol University Hospital due to a low-velocity gunshot injury. We detected one entry point on the posterior aspect of the thigh, just superior to the popliteal groove. No exit wound was detected on his physical examination. There was swelling around the knee and range of motion was limited due to pain and swelling. Neurological and vascular examinations were intact. Following the initial assessment, the vascular examination was confirmed by doppler ultrasonography of the related extremity. There were no signs of compartment syndrome in the preoperative physical examination. A bullet was detected in the knee joint on the initial X-rays. Immediately after releasing the tourniquet, swelling of the anterolateral compartment of the leg and pulse deficiency was detected on foot in the dorsalis pedis artery. Although the arthroscopic removal of intra-articular bullets following gunshot injuries seems to have low morbidity rates, it should always be considered that the articular capsule may have been ruptured and the fluids used during the operation may leak into surrounding tissues and result in compartment syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, İstanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mert
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Keskinbora
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, İstanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sercan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yalçin
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, İstanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: İsmail
authors.initials: İ
authors.lastname: Oltulu
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, İstanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet Emin
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Erdil
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, İstanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Tuğrul
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Örmeci
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003161:Compartment Syndromes; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D014421:Turkey; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot
keywords: Arthroscopy; Bullet; Joint; Knee