Definition

Fasciotomy is a surgery to relieve swelling and pressure in a compartment of the body. Tissue that surrounds the area is cut open to relieve pressure.

Fasciotomy is most often needed in the leg, but it may also be done in the arm, hand, foot, or abdomen.

Compartment Syndrome in Lower Leg Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Reasons for Procedure

Muscles, nerves, and blood vessels are separated into areas called compartments. The compartments are wrapped in a strong sheet of tissue called fascia. Fluid buildup or swelling can increase pressure in the compartment. This can slow or block the flow of blood in the area and damages nerves. The loss of blood flow can also cause the death of tissue in the area. The pressure can also painfully squeeze tissue including nerves.

Fasciotomy is used to immediately release the pressure in these compartments. Releasing the pressure will improve blood flow and stop or slow damage to the local tissue. It may be used to treat:

• Acute compartment syndrome —Sudden, dangerous increase in pressure. Often due to trauma or accident.
• Chronic compartment syndrome —Pressure that tends to build slowly and recur. Fasciotomy may be used if other treatments do not work.

Possible Complications

Problems from the procedure are rare, but all procedures have some risk. Your doctor will review potential problems, like:

• Excessive bleeding
• Infection
• Scarring
• Chronic pain
• Tissue damage that causes loss of nerve or muscle function
• Future corrective surgeries, which may include amputation
• Breakdown of muscle tissue— rhabdomyolysis, which can affect kidney function

Before your procedure, talk to your doctor about ways to manage factors that may increase your risk of complications such as:

• Smoking
• Drinking
• Chronic disease such as diabetes or obesity

What to Expect

Call Your Doctor

Contact your doctor if your recovery is not progressing as expected or you develop complications such as:

• Signs of infection, including fever or chills
• Increasing pain that cannot be controlled with the medications you were given
• Increasing swelling that makes the splint and/or dressing tight and painful
• Excessive bleeding that is difficult to stop
• Numbness, tingling, or burning pain
• Loss of feeling or inability to move the affected limb
• You injure the affected limb
• A feeling of tightness or fullness in the area
• Loss of muscle control
• New or unexpected symptoms

If you have signs of acute compartment syndrome or you think you have a different emergency, call for emergency medical services right away.