Intracompartmental Pressure Monitoring Using a Handheld Pressure Monitoring System.

Abstract

We describe the correct technique for measuring compartment pressure with a handheld device to diagnose compartment syndrome. Proper preparation of the handheld pressure monitoring device (Stryker Surgical, Kalamazoo, Michigan) is critical to ensure that the device performs appropriately. The needle must be placed in the proper location to appropriately measure a compartment's pressure. Inject saline solution from the pressure monitoring device to clear any soft tissue from the side port on the needle that could result in inaccurate pressure measurements. The pressure must reach a stable state before it is recorded; different pressure thresholds for decompression have been recommended in the literature. As mistakes can be made with any single measurement, accuracy may be improved by repeating steps 1 through 4 and averaging the results. After the reading is obtained, move on to any additional compartment(s) that need to be evaluated, repeating the steps listed above. The handheld intracompartmental monitoring device with a side-ported needle has been shown to be extremely accurate in the laboratory.IndicationsContraindicationsPitfalls & Challenges.