Compartment syndrome

Abstract

Early recognition and prompt treatment of compartment syndrome in children is essential to prevent long-term disability. Warning signs of a compartment syndrome in a child include pain out of proportion to the injury, increasing analgesic requirement, and anxiety and agitation in an otherwise healthy child. These symptoms demand careful examination of the child and prompt treatment by appropriate fasciotomy of the compartment(s) involved if there is suf fi cient evidence of compartment syndrome.