Compartment Syndrome in High-Energy Tibial Plateau Fractures

Brian A Schneiderman; Robert V O'Toole

doi:10.1016/j.ocl.2021.09.001

Compartment Syndrome in High-Energy Tibial Plateau Fractures

Orthop Clin North Am. 2022 Jan;53(1):43-50. doi: 10.1016/j.ocl.2021.09.001. Epub 2021 Oct 28.

Authors

Brian A Schneiderman¹, Robert V O'Toole²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Orthopaedics, R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 22 South Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. Electronic address: schneidermanMD@gmail.com.
² Department of Orthopaedics, R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 22 South Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.

PMID: 34799021
DOI: 10.1016/j.ocl.2021.09.001

Abstract

High-energy tibial plateau fractures carry a high risk of associated acute compartment syndrome. Clinicians should be familiar with several demographic, clinical, and radiographic factors that are associated with compartment syndrome development after tibial plateau fracture. Once the diagnosis of compartment syndrome is made, emergent decompressive fasciotomies are needed. Fracture fixation complicates the treatment course and elements of postoperative management. Deep surgical site infection is a common complication, and controversy remains regarding the ideal timing of fixation and soft tissue closure for these complex injuries.

Keywords: Acute compartment syndrome; Complications; Fasciotomy; Tibial plateau fracture.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Compartment Syndromes / etiology*
Compartment Syndromes / therapy
Fracture Fixation, Internal / methods
Humans
Open Fracture Reduction / methods
Postoperative Complications / etiology*
Postoperative Complications / therapy
Risk Factors
Tibial Fractures / surgery*