Abstract
In 9 patients undergoing routine orthopaedic operations under lumbar analgesia, intracompartmental pressure in the leg was measured continuously following release of a tourniquet applied for 30-71 minutes using a catheter-tip pressure transducer with a needle tip, which was built by Millar Instruments.
A maximum increase in intracompantmental pressure was observed 45 to 315 minutes after release of a tourniquet. Intracompartmental pressure rose above 60 millimeters of mercury in 3 patients.
These findings suggest that one must recognize the possibility of the occurrence of closed compartmental syndrome after temporary ischemia from tourniquet use.
