Lower Extremity Fasciotomy

 

VBMC TRAUMA CARE SERVICES GUIDELINE

TITLE: Lower Extremity Fasciotomies
PURPOSE: To establish an institutional policy for the management patients requiring fasciotomy of the lower extremity.

GUIDELINE:

Patients requiring fasciotomy for suspected compartment syndrome should be seen emergently and undergo compartment release within 6 hours of onset.

Lower extremity compartment syndrome associated with an underlying fracture should be managed by the orthopedic team.

Lower extremity compartment syndrome associated with a vascular injury without an underlying fracture should be managed by the Trauma surgery team.

Lower extremity compartment syndrome associated with both a vascular and bony injury can be managed by either the Trauma or orthopedic team based on timing of their respective operations and direct attending to attending conversation.

Lower extremity compartment syndrome without associated vascular or orthopedic injuries should be managed by the general surgical team.