Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 1988 Nov;70(6):372-6.

Does oedema following lower limb revascularisation cause compartment syndromes?

Affiliations

Does oedema following lower limb revascularisation cause compartment syndromes?

D J Scott et al. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 1988 Nov.

Abstract

Oedema of the leg, particularly the calf, is a well-recognised complication following lower limb reconstructive vascular surgery, but its effect on the limb is unknown. In this study, anterior compartment pressures and calf circumference were measured in both the operated and non-operated limbs following femoropopliteal bypass in 15 patients. All the patients developed lower limb swelling, which was significantly greater than the non-operated limb, P less than 0.05 paired t test (day 2-5). There was a significant difference in the mean anterior compartment pressures between the operated and non-operated limbs on the third and fourth postoperative days for the overall and below knee group, P less than 0.05 (paired t test). However, none of the patients developed signs, symptoms or pressures indicative of a compartment syndrome. These results suggest that the oedema following reconstructive vascular surgery is subcutaneous rather than compartmental in origin and that compartment pressure measurements should only be undertaken if a fasciotomy is being contemplated.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1970 Aug;131(2):282-90 - PubMed
    1. Arch Surg. 1972 Dec;105(6):883-8 - PubMed
    1. Br J Surg. 1972 Dec;59(12):979-82 - PubMed
    1. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1975 Nov-Dec;(113):69-80 - PubMed
    1. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1976 Oct;58(7):1016-20 - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources