A slice in time: Lower extremity compartment syndrome

[摘要] The definition of compartment syndrome has evolved over the last two centuries. Volkmann first introduced the concept of compartment syndrome when he described post-traumatic ischemic muscle injury leading to paralytic limb contractures, which he termed Volkmann’s Contracture in 1881.* The more modern definition from Carter et al describes muscle swelling within a fixed muscular compartment impairing distal blood supply leading to necrosis.† Physicians now agree that compartment syndrome occurs when pressure within a closed space increases past a critical pressure (typically greater than 30 mmHg), resulting in decreased perfusion to the components of the compartment and the sequelae following such an insult (muscle edema, ischemia, and necrosis).

[学科分类] 外科医学