Fasciotomy Wound Management

Abstract

Surgical fasciotomy is the only effective treatment, offering an immediate decrease in the compartment pressure and an increase in the volume of the affected muscle compartment through the release of the skin and muscle fascia.• Complications of fasciotomy include 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. • 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 and other variables, such as the condition of the tissues surrounding the wound, availability of materials and devices, patients' environment and preference, and institutional financial resources.

Isolated Extensor Hallucis Longus Compartment Syndrome: A Case Report

“…The only definitive treatment for ACS is immediate decompression of the compartment in the form of fasciotomy [ 4 ]. Our case involves the leg, and, accordingly, a four-quadrant fasciotomy is the standard of care for leg compartment syndrome.…”

Complications and Comorbidities in Hispanic Patients Who Develop Traumatic and Non-traumatic Acute Compartment Syndrome

“…In cases with better outcomes, the morbidity may result in organ damage, renal failure, neuropathic pain, ulcerations, infections, etc. [ 16 ]. A conglomerate of resulting morbidities with chronic consequences may lead to a faster decline of health and increase healthcare costs.…”

Compartment Syndrome of the Lower Limb in Adults and Children and Effective Surgical Intervention and Post-surgical Therapies: A Narrative Review

“…Though highly effective for rapid decompression and prevention of tissue ischemia and necrosis, fasciotomy includes a host of complications including increased hospital stay, wound infections, need for further surgery/skin grafting, delayed bone healing, and not limited to nerve injury. Risks can be mitigated with proper wound closure [ 69 ]. Though surgical intervention is the treatment of choice and has proven to have successful outcomes, advancements using minimally invasive techniques such as endoscopic, minimal-incision, and ultrasound-guided fasciotomy techniques are still to be further studied but have also proven successful [ 59 ].…”