Editing Compartment syndrome (section)

=== '''Forearm''' ===

** All three compartments can be compromised after burns or extensive long bone trauma with vascular reconstruction
** '''Volar''' - wrist and hand flexors - most commonly affected
*** Contains FDP, FPL and pronator quadratus, all supplied by anterior interosseous artery
*** ''AIA is especially vulnerable to occlusion by compartment pressures''
*** Subcutaneous street drug injection, extravasation of IVF, or insect bites
*** Technique:
**** Incise at lateral part of elbow, descending medially in a curved manner for the proximal half of forearm, then curving laterally down to just above wrist along the ulnar side of FCU tendon (this incision also decompresses lateral compartment). Incorporate the palm by crossing the wrist flexor crease then incising in line with the radial border of the ring finger - basically to line up with carpal tunnel decompression. This incision also endorsed in Valentine's.
**** Large veins crossing incision path often require ligation
**** Elevate the flap along its entire length by developing the plane between fascia and muscle
**** Separate FCU and FDS, including the ulnar neurovascular bundle with the FDS
**** In most cases, the dorsal compartment muscles will be adequately decompressed by the full length volar decompression
** '''Dorsal''' - extensors
*** 6-8cm incision in line from the lateral epicondyle to the radial styloid allows release
** '''Lateral''' - brachioradialis and ECRL and ECRB
*** See above
**

*

*