FUNCTIONAL RESULTS AFTER COMPARTMENTAL SY NDROME IN THE LOWER LEG

In a retrospective review 78 compartmental syndromes, treated between 1980 and 1988, were analyzed. The mean follow-up was 42 months. 43 pat ients (53%) suffered an traffic accident. Direct trauma forces predomi nated (66 patients). The functional results after crush injuries had b een worser than after contusion injuries or direct trauma forces. The functional results depended from the posttraumatic interval of decompr ession. The later the fasciotomy the worser the functional results had been. A wide fascial decompression is necessary. Two cases of rebound compartmental syndromes after unilateral fasciotomy reveal the skin a s an important limiting factor in severe cases of compartmental syndro me.