title: Acute Compartment Syndrome.
abstract: Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) is a well-known pathophysiologic complication of trauma or tissue ischemia. ACS affects the appearance, function, and even the viability of the involved limb, and demands immediate diagnosis and treatment. However, ACS is difficult to diagnose and the only effective treatment is decompressive surgical fasciotomy. The clinical signs and symptoms may easily be attributed to other aspects of the injury, which further complicates the diagnosis. This article highlights the latest information regarding the diagnosis of ACS, how to perform fasciotomies, how to manage fasciotomy wounds, and also reviews complications and outcomes of ACS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hennepin County Medical Center, 701 Park Avenue South, Mail Code G2, Minneapolis, MN 55415, USA. Electronic address: schmi115@umn.edu.
authors.forename: Andrew H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Schmidt
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D000071938:Fasciotomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans
keywords: Acute compartment syndrome; Complication; Fasciotomy; Intramuscular pressure; Perfusion pressure; Pressure monitoring