Compartment Syndrome

Compartment Syndrome



Basic Information image



Definition


An increase in pressure in a confined anatomic space that leads to ischemic damage to the tissue



Epidemiology



Risk Factors




• Anesthesia


• Fracture


• Puncture wound


• Infection (ie, Clostridium spp.)


• Soft tissue trauma


• Circumferential burns


• External bandage, cast, or splint


• Reperfusion injury


• Arterial or venous obstruction


• Intense exercise


• Envenomation



Associated Conditions and Disorders




• Most commonly occurs in soft tissue structures that are bounded by fascia and bony structures


• May occur with any condition in which perfusion pressure decreases below tissue pressure in a closed anatomic space



Clinical Presentation



History, Chief Complaint


History of anesthesia, trauma, infection, burns, perfusion abnormalities, intense exercise, or snakebite



Physical Exam Findings




• The most common clinical sign is tense muscle swelling with a decreased range of motion of the affected area.


• Paraesthesia with pain that is more than expected with the diagnosed injury may be noted.


• Pulselessness is recognized in humans and may be present in horses as well.



Etiology and Pathophysiology




• Soft tissue injury results in swelling in the confined space.


• Tissue pressures increase because of edema and hemorrhage.


• When the tissue pressure increases above the diastolic blood pressure, circulation is impaired, leading to decreased tissue oxygenation and alterations in cell metabolism.


• Cells may be irreversibly damaged with severe oxygen depletion because of release of inflammatory mediators and histamine.


• Muscle and nervous tissue are the most sensitive to the negative effects of compartment syndrome.

< div class='tao-gold-member'>

Related posts:

  1. Aggressive Stallion Behavior
  2. Aflatoxin Toxicosis
  3. Biliary Atresia
  4. Black Widow Spider Toxicosis

Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel
Tags:
Jul 24, 2016 | Posted by in SMALL ANIMAL | Comments Off on Compartment Syndrome

Full access? Get Clinical Tree
Get Clinical Tree app for offline access