MEASURING TISSUE PRESSURE TO ASSESS THE SEVERITY OF BURN-INDUCED ISCHEMIA

Circumferential burn injuries can produce severe ischemia in the underlying muscles by producing compartmental compression. The latter requires prompt decompression, but it is often difficult to diagnose. A simple, rapid, and accurate technique for the direct measurement of compartmental pressure is described. It may be used to determine the need for decompressive escharotomy or fas-ciotomy, and to intraoperatively assess its adequacy. © 1979 American Society of Plastic Surgeons.