Recurrent Compartment Syndrome: 2 Cases and a Review of the Literature

Compartment syndrome is a potentially devastating entity, and timely recognition is critical for appropriate management. Diagnosis is classically a clinical one and based largely on serial examinations. When clinical examinations are compromised, compartment pressure monitoring may be useful. These diagnostic measures, however, assume recognition of “at-risk” injuries or clinical scenarios. Rarely discussed is whether an open fasciotomy provides any degree of protection from redeveloping compartment syndrome.

To this end, we present 2 cases of recurrent compartment syndrome after previous fasciotomy. These reports illustrate a previously unreported at-risk population and demonstrate that compartment syndrome can recur in a previously released compartment. Therefore, prior fasciotomy should not be considered protective against acute compartment syndrome. These patients should be evaluated and managed no differently from patients with primary compartment syndrome.