Abstract
A 77-year-old man suddenly developed severe pain, paresthesia and cyanosis in his left forearm and hand. The next day, he was referred to our hospital on a diagnosis of acute arterial occlusion in his forearm. Emergency thrombectomy of the left radial and ulnar arteries was carried out successfully. Soon after the operation, his left hand showed severe swelling and became pale again, so we diagnosed compartment syndrome of the hand. To salvage his hand, fasciotomy was immediately carried out through longitudinal incisions over the 1st and 2nd metacarpals, and the ulnar side of the 5th metacarpal, respectively. His postoperative course was uneventful and function of his left hand was well maintained. Upper extremity ischemia is a common consequence of acute arterial embolism. However, it is rare for fasciotomy of the hand to be needed after thrombectomy of the upper extremity. We should carefully observe patients after thrombectomy of the upper limb, prevent to any delay in the diagnosis of compartment syndrome of the hand. Prompt and appropriate treatment is necessary to avoid disastrous outcomes such as amputation or hand dysfunction.
