Bilateral post-traumatic forearm and hand compartment syndrome: a case report and review of literature

Saubhik Das; Vivek Trikha; Sahil Gaba; Arkesh M.; Prabhat Agrawal; Gajanand Yadav

doi:10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20164581

Authors

Saubhik Das JPN Apex Trauma Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India
Vivek Trikha JPN Apex Trauma Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India
Sahil Gaba JPN Apex Trauma Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India
Arkesh M. JPN Apex Trauma Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India
Prabhat Agrawal JPN Apex Trauma Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India
Gajanand Yadav JPN Apex Trauma Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20164581

Keywords:

Bilateral, Compartment syndrome, Fasciotomy, Forearm, Hand, Split-thickness skin graft

Abstract

Acute compartment syndrome is a condition in which interstitial tissue pressure within a closed osteo-fascial compartment is elevated to a nonphysiologic level causing decrease in tissue perfusion, which if left elevated for sufficient time, can lead to tissue necrosis and devastating loss of function. It poses a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for treating surgeons. We present a case of acute post-traumatic bilateral forearm and hand compartment syndrome in a 12 year old boy associated with fracture of distal ulna and metacarpals. Patient regained excellent function with emergent fasciotomy of volar forearm and hand followed by wound management with vacuum-assisted wound closure system (VAC), delayed primary closure and split-thickness skin graft (SSG). Early diagnosis and emergent fasciotomy are crucial to avoid debilitating complications.

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