[Measuring compartment pressure of the lower leg with a microtip probe]

In the acute compartment syndrome it is difficult to decide on the basis of clinical criteria alone whether or not fasciotomy is indicated. Reliable and objective parameters are required before a treatment schedule can be devised. Measurement of the pressure inside the acute compartment can facilitate the decision as to whether operative treatment is appropriate in the case of the muscular compartment involved. We performed compartment pressure measurements in the tibialis anterior compartment in 27 healthy volunteers using a microtip probe. Clinically relevant results were obtained. It was demonstrated that this method could be used either in acute cases or for long-time measurements. We think that using a microtip probe for intracompartmental pressure measurement provides reliable data and makes the decision on fasciotomy much easier.