Extensive septic myonecrosis related to compartment syndrome: is the upper extremity salvage achievable in precarious setting?

Management of acute compartment syndrome is well known and based on emergent and generous fasciotomies. In absence of such fasciotomies, or if they are performed too late, the compartment syndrome leads to a Volkmann's syndrome or to a dramatic septic myonecrosis raising the question of an amputation. However, salvage treatment of these extreme clinical presentations may be preferable at the upper extremity, particularly in developing countries where access to sophisticated prosthetic devices is limited. The authors report four typical observations about management of upper extremity delayed compartment syndromes with severe infectious complications. To clarify treatment principles and pitfalls, two situations are distinguished: subacute septic myonecrosis and chronic osteomyelitis. Management specificities of both situations are discussed according to literature data and available resources in austere environments. Despite challenging in low-resources setting, upper extremity salvage is possible at the cost of simple but iterative surgical procedures. Limitations are represented by the need of repeated blood transfusions in the subacute phase, and difficulties in providing medical treatment of bone infection in the chronic phase.