[Instrumental muscle pressure measurement in acute and chronic compartment syndrome]

Acute compartment syndrome is a serious complication of trauma to the extremities. Increases in intra-compartmental tissue pressure result from increases in fluid pressure. The indication for a fasciotomy in impending compartment syndrome depends on the tissue pressure. To facilitate the diagnosis of high intramuscular pressure in acute and chronic compartment syndrome, we have developed a pressure monitor that enables us to measure pressure simply and exactly. The pressure monitor has a very low drift, high accuracy and linearity, and is easy to handle. The clinical application of the pressure monitor proved to be a useful tool in the management of an injured limb. This article reviews the pathophysiology and mechanism of acute and chronic compartment syndrome as well as the intracompartmental pressure monitoring.