Modified shoelace technique for delayed primary closure of the thigh after acute compartment syndrome

The authors report a case of acute compartment syndrome in the thigh in a 19-year-old man with multiple injuries including fracture of the femoral diaphysis. Decompressive fasciotomy was performed emergently. Complete progressive closure of the wound without split-thickness skin grafting was achieved using a modified shoelace technique: sutures were run inside wide drains placed in contact with the muscles and were then tightened over the skin. These drains enlarged the contact area between sutures and muscles, preventing damage to muscles.