Intracompartmental Pressure Monitoring Using a Handheld Pressure Monitoring System

INTRODUCTION: We describe the correct technique for measuring compartment pressure with a handheld device to diagnose compartment syndrome. STEP 1: DEVICE PREPARATION: Proper preparation of the handheld pressure monitoring device (Stryker Surgical, Kalamazoo, Michigan) is critical to ensure that the device performs appropriately. STEP 2: IDENTIFICATION OF THE COMPARTMENT OF INTEREST: The needle must be placed in the proper location to appropriately measure a compartment’s pressure. STEP 3: INJECTION: 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. STEP 4: STABILIZATION AND PRESSURE READING: The pressure must reach a stable state before it is recorded; different pressure thresholds for decompression have been recommended in the literature. STEP 5: REPEAT MEASUREMENTS: As mistakes can be made with any single measurement, accuracy may be improved by repeating steps 1 through 4 and averaging the results. STEP 6: ADDITIONAL COMPARTMENTS: After the reading is obtained, move on to any additional compartment(s) that need to be evaluated, repeating the steps listed above. RESULTS: The handheld intracompartmental monitoring device with a side-ported needle has been shown to be extremely accurate in the laboratory. Indications Contraindications Pitfalls & Challenges