Post-fasciotomy Nerve Compression-A Case Report and Literature Review

Background:Fasciotomy is the only recognized treatment for an acute compartment syndrome of extremity. The leg is the most common affected site in the lower extremities requiring fasciotomy. However, the outcome of a fasciotomy depends upon the patient's underlying condition or the mechanism that causes the compartment syndrome.Aim and Objectives:We present a case of post-fasciotomy peroneal nerve compression and later required neurolysis to obtain complete cure of the problems. The literature of fasciotomy for acute compartment syndrome was reviewed.Materials and Methods:We present a case of post-fasciotomy peroneal nerve compression. The patient was suffered from enterovirus-related myocarditis and supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). She complicated with acute compartment syndrome at the left calf area. Therefore, a fasciotomy was performed, further applied with a split-thickness skin graft (STSG) 17 days later. Numbness and impaired sensation in the left foot developed after about one month later. So the neurolysis for peroneal nerve was done.Results:After the fasciotomy and STSG plus later neurolysis, the numbness and loss of sensation in the left foot was reduced. The patient recovered well and she had regular follow ups for 15 months without further complications.Conclusion:To ensure a complete fasciotomy and avoid technical morbidity, the thorough knowledge of extremity compartment anatomy and anatomic variation is very important. Surgical intervention is necessary if complications from neuropathy do not spontaneously recover within several months.