Effect of lower extremity fasciotomy length on intracompartmental pressure in an animal model of compartment syndrome: the importance of achieving a minimum of 90% fascial release.

Background: There has been an increase in minimally invasive surgery for chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS), despite the potential for incomplete compartment release and iatrogenic injuries. To our knowledge, no study has examined the effect of the length of fascial release on compartment pressures.

Purpose/hypothesis: The purpose was to explain the high failure rate seen in fascial release for CECS by evaluating the effect of fasciotomy length on intracompartmental pressures.