Surgical implications of drug-induced rhabdomyolysis

Four cases are described of acute non-traumatic rhabdomyolysis with subsequent development of a compartmental syndrome, requiring extensive fasciotomies. All the patients were young male alcoholics who were taking benzodiazepines as part of an addiction treatment programme. In this risk group clinicians should be aware of two serious complications of non-traumatic rhabdomyolysis: acute renal failure and compartmental syndrome.