Orthopaedic Complications (Subscribe)

Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics compartment syndrome is elevation of interstitial pressure in closed fascial compartment that results in microvascular compromise; - as duration & magnitude of interstitial pressure increase, myoneural function is impaired & necrosis of soft tissues eventually develops;

Review of CRPS (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) Journal of Postgraduate Medicine 50(4)2004

Summary: Antibiotics are effective in preventing early infection in open fractures of the limbs Wound and bone infections are common complications following open fractures of the limbs. For more than 20 years, in developed countries, the use of antibiotics has been a part of a standard management protocol that also includes...

From Journal RCSE

BMJ editorial BMJ 2002;325:557-558 Acute limb compartment syndrome is a surgical emergency characterised by raised pressure in an unyielding osteofascial compartment. Sustained elevation of tissue pressure reduces capillary perfusion below a level necessary for tissue viability, and irreversible muscle and nerve damage may occur within hours. Causes include trauma, revascularisation...

Perioperative Prophylactic Antibiotics:
- it is essential that antibiotics be given prior to incision;
- in most cases, patients should receive 1-2 gm of IV Ancef 30 min prior to the incision
Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics

Antithrombotic Therapy. SIGN Guideline. SIGN Publication No. 36 ISBN 1899893 76 8 Published March 1999

Wheeless Textbook of Orthopaedics. Notes on:
Anterior Compartment Syndrome:
Posterior Compartment Syndrome
Lateral Compartment Syndrome
Non Operative Treatment
Indications for Surgery
Technique: (chronic anterior compartment syndrome)

Medscape Journal Scan April 2004 Review of articles on missed diagnosis of compartment syndrome

Wheeless Textbook of Orthopaedics compartment syndromes can occur in the foot as in other parts of body; - mechanism of injury is severe local trauma, & assoc skeletal injury may be minimal; - classic...

Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics - compartment syndrome is uncommon in thigh because of large-volume that the thigh requires to cause a pathological increase in interstitial pressure; - fascial compartments of thigh blend anatomically w/ muscles of hip,potentially...

compartment syndrome following tibia fractures are most common in closed frx (upto 20% of frx) but may also occur following open frx; - cast immobilization may increase pressure; - it remains unclear whether IM nailing will increase or decrease compartment pressures,...

Wheeless Textbook of Orthopaedics

SOA - Orthopaedic Care.net Textbook The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of acute upper extremity compartment syndrome. It will review the causes, the pathophysiology, the diagnosis, and the treatment of this condition. Some discussion of chronic compartment syndrome is also presented.

Compartmental Syndromes
A compartmental syndrome is a condition in which increased pressure within a limited space compromises the circulation and function of the tissues within that space. This condition is a cause of major loss of function, limb and even life. It can result from trauma, prolonged recumbancy (in surgery or...