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Published on: May 31, 2019
Compartment Syndrome in Children
Pooya Hosseinzadeh1, Christopher B Hayes2
1Department of Orthopedics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Baptist Children's Hospital, 8740 North Kendall Drive, Suite 115, Miami, FL 33176, USA.
Insights
Increased pain medication needs may signal compartment syndrome in children. Prompt diagnosis and fasciotomy for high-risk fractures lead to excellent outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Trauma Surgery
Background:
- Compartment syndrome presents uniquely in pediatric patients compared to adults.
- Early recognition is crucial for preventing long-term complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight key indicators and risk factors for compartment syndrome in children.
- To emphasize the importance of timely diagnosis and surgical intervention.
Main Methods:
- Review of pediatric cases with high-risk fractures.
- Analysis of clinical presentations and treatment outcomes.
Main Results:
- Elevated analgesic requirements are an early indicator of pediatric compartment syndrome.
- Supracondylar humerus fractures, floating elbow injuries, operatively treated forearm fractures, and tibia fractures are high-risk injuries.
- Specific factors like excessive elbow flexion and closed forearm fracture treatment increase risk.
Conclusions:
- Compartment syndrome in children requires vigilant monitoring, with increased pain as a primary warning sign.
- Early fasciotomy in pediatric patients with compartment syndrome ensures favorable long-term results.
Abstract:
Compartment syndrome in children can present differently than adults. Increased analgesic need should be considered the first sign of evolving compartment syndrome in children. Children with supracondylar humerus fractures, floating elbow injuries, operatively treated forearm fractures, and tibia fractures are at high risk for developing compartment syndrome. Elbow flexion beyond 90° in supracondylar humerus fractures and closed treatment of forearm fractures in floating elbow injuries are associated with increased risk of compartment syndrome. Prompt diagnosis and treatment with fasciotomy in children result in excellent long-term outcomes.
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