Prophylactic forefoot decompression prevents acute compartment syndrome of the foot following elective surgery in children
Dussa CU, Fujak A (2025)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2025
Journal
DOI: 10.1016/j.fas.2025.11.008
Abstract
Introduction Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) of the foot is practically unknown following elective surgeries. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to: 1. investigate the incidence, relative risk (RR) and odds ratio (OD) in relation to the type of foot surgery, 2. to study the benefits of prophylactic decompression of the forefoot on the occurrence of ACS, postoperative pain, hospital stay, additional surgeries and morbidity Materials and methods This retrospective study was done in children operated between 2008 and 2022. The feet were divided into group −1 (2008–2018) with no prophylactic decompression of the forefoot and group −2 (2019–2022), with prophylactic decompression of the forefoot at the time of foot surgery. The surgeries performed were divided into 6 types. A single-tailed T-test for unpaired samples was used. Results 29 feet in 26 children developed ACS in group −1 (1164 feet). 26 feet in 19 children (5.3 %) with ‘risk of ACS’ received a prophylactic decompression in group −2 (482 feet). The overall incidence of ACS in group −1 was 2.49 %, with Talectomy showing the highest relative risk (9.2 %). The mean time to diagnosis was 2.7 days. The pain intensity, duration of hospital stay, additional surgeries and morbidity (42,6 %) were significantly higher in group −1. Conclusion Despite the lack of literature on this subject, ACS is a possible complication following a complex elective foot surgery. Rigid foot deformities needing complex corrections are susceptible and therefore, a prophylactic decompression of forefoot is beneficial and reduces morbidity with no complications.
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Germany (DE)How to cite
APA:
Dussa, C.U., & Fujak, A. (2025). Prophylactic forefoot decompression prevents acute compartment syndrome of the foot following elective surgery in children. Foot and Ankle Surgery. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fas.2025.11.008
MLA:
Dussa, Chakravarthy U., and Albert Fujak. "Prophylactic forefoot decompression prevents acute compartment syndrome of the foot following elective surgery in children." Foot and Ankle Surgery (2025).
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