[The use of pulse oximetry in the compartment syndrome]

After conservative therapy of a left-sided radius fracture a 14-year-old patient developed a compartment syndrome; within 24 h, that required immediate surgical intervention. Despite palpable peripheral pulsation of the radial and ulnar arteries, it was not possible to measure the arterial oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry on the forefinger and fifth finger of the left hand, so that a compartment syndrome due to a disorder of perfusion could be diagnosed. After fasciotomy, it became possible to measure the oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry as well as plethysmographic visualization of the pulse curve. In this case pulse oximetry confirmed the indication for surgical intervention and immediately demonstrated its success.