Fasciotomy Wound Management

Excerpt

Surgical fasciotomy is the only effective treatment for compartment syndrome. However, it is associated with complications, including long hospital stay, wound infection and osteomyelitis, need for further surgery for delayed wound closure or skin grafting, scarring, delayed bone healing, pain and nerve injury, permanent muscle weakness, chronic venous insufficiency, cosmetic problems, and an overall increased cost of care. To reduce the risk of complications, the fasciotomy wound should be closed as quickly as possible. However, closure of fasciotomy wounds is challenging, and a plethora of techniques have been proposed. With no consensus existing in the literature regarding the best method for closure of fasciotomy wounds, the technique applied each time is based mostly on surgeon’s preference, condition of the soft tissues, and availability of materials and devices. This chapter aims to summarize the available techniques employed in fasciotomy wound closure and to discuss the indications, advantages, disadvantages, and complications of these techniques in a way that readers may find useful and educative.