FASCIOTOMIES OF THE LIMBS - HOW TO DO IT

The compartment syndrome has been defined as an elevation of the inter stitial pressure in a closed osteofascial compartment resulting in mic rovascular compromise. The only effective treatment is early decompres sion of the involved compartment. In acute conditions, this decompress ion can only be established if skin and fascia are incised over the mu scular part of the compartment. A good knowledge of the anatomy and im portance of the fascia generalis, communis and propria is necessary fo r successful and complete decompression. Classic and more recent anato mical and clinical data are selected from the surgical literature to p rovide comprehensive and anatomically based guidelines for fasciotomie s of the upper and lower limbs.