Compartment pressure following leg injury: the effect of diuretic treatment

Acute ischaemia in the tibial compartments is a recognized complication of fractures, vascular injury, vascular surgery, crush injuries and burns. The tissue pressure was measured in the first week after injury and the effect of diuretics has been evaluated in a double-blind randomized manner. The pressure in the anterior tibial compartment was measured in the first week after injury in a double-blind randomized manner in 40 patients who had sustained either accidental or surgical injury of the leg. The pressure in the group treated with placebos increased by 20 per cent in the first 24 hours, whereas the pressure fell by 25 per cent in those treated with diuretics. Diuretic treatment is recommended for patients with injury of the lower limbs.