Non-infective subcutaneous emphysema of the hand—is fasciotomy required?
- نوع فایل : کتاب
- زبان : انگلیسی
- مؤلف : Sitaram Giri & Mahesh Thibbaiah & Brian Banerjee
- چاپ و سال / کشور: 2011
Description
Background Presence of gas in the subcutaneous tissue in a limb is always worrisome. Majority of the cases occur due to infection by gas-forming organism and less commonly due to non-infectious causes. Case report We report a case of 52-year-old male who presented with an acute onset rapidly spreading swelling of the hand and forearm following a minor splinter injury. There was no distal neurovascular compromise. He underwent an emergency fasciotomy. Discussion Here we discuss about non-infective subcutaneous emphysema of the limbs and the need to be aware of this potentially harmless condition. We believe that even in minor injuries resulting in extensive non-infective emphysema, a prophylactic decompression even in the absence of neurovascular compromise would be a prudent action, which does not necessarily lead to increased morbidity.
Eur Orthop Traumatol (2011) 2:55–57 DOI 10.1007/s12570-011-0043-0 Received: 20 September 2010 / Accepted: 13 March 2011 / Published online: 8 April 2011
