66 cases of acute compartment syndrome were treated by fasciotomy in 46 extremities of 44 patients. Fasciotomy performed early, that is, less than 12 hours after the onset of the compartment syndrome, resulted in normal function in 68 per cent of the extremities. Only 8 per cent of those having late fasciotomy had normal function. The complication rates for the early and late fasciotomized extremities were 4.5 per cent and 54 per cent, respectively. No significant differences in residual function or complication rate were noted with "open" or "closed" fasciotomy.
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66 cases of acute compartment syndrome were treated by fasciotomy in 46 extremities of 44 patients. Fasciotomy performed early, that is, less than 12 hours after the onset of the compartment syndrome, resulted in normal function in 68 per cent of the extremities. Only 8 per cent of those having late fasciotomy had normal function. The complication rates for the early and late fasciotomized extremities were 4.5 per cent and 54 per cent, respectively. No significant differences in residual function or complication rate were noted with "open" or "closed" fasciotomy.
Copyright remains with the authors and publisher.