TOWARDS REDUCING THE TRAUMA OF DIRECT INTRACOMPARTMENTAL PRESSURE MEASUREMENT FOR CHILDREN - AN IN-VITRO ASSESSMENT OF SMALL-DIAMETER NEEDLES

Direct intracompartmental pressure (ICP) measurement in children is an important investigation, the use of which may be inhibited by the inv asive nature of the procedure and the large 18-gauge (G) needles that have hitherto been recommended. These large needles contribute to pati ent, parental, and physician anxiety. This study compares ICP measurem ents using needles of different lengths and port configuration, rangin g from 18 to 25 G, against the ''gold standard'' 18 G, long, double-po rted needle. All except the 18 G long, single-ported needle had limits of agreement within 3 mm Hg of the gold-standard needle. The results indicate that needle manometry can confidently be performed using smal l needles, and that the addition of a side-port is unnecessary in need les of small volume.