Fasciotomy

Fasciotomy is a surgical procedure where the fascia is cut to relieve tension or pressure (resulting in loss of circulation to an area of tissue or muscle). Fasciotomy is a limb-saving procedure when used to treat acute compartment syndrome. It is also sometimes used to treat chronic compartment stress syndrome. The procedure has a very high rate of success, with the most common problem being accidental damage to a nearby nerve. Complications can also involve the formation of scar tissue after the operation. A thickening of the surgical scars can result in the loss of mobility of the joint involved. This can usually be corrected through massage therapy or physical therapy.

In addition to scar formation, there is a possibility that the surgeon may require a skin graft to close the wound.

Sometimes when closing the fascia again in another surgical procedure, the muscle is still too large to close it completely. A small bulge is visible, but is not harmful.

A similar procedure, a fasciectomy, comprises removal of a portion of fascia.

In the case of severe pressure from third-degree burns, an escharotomy is performed, where charred tissue, or eschar, is cut.

In cases of an acute compartment syndrome, i.e. occurring during/after a gynecological surgery, it might be vital to NOT have had an Epidural anesthesia, since the patient wouldn't be able to tell about the pain occurring in the bottom legs. This is important, since action has to be taken immediately after diagnosis.

Considering the time the patient had to lay flat with this (up to four weeks - in other cases even (much) longer), a six- to 12 weeks-long mobilization might be adequate.

Fasziotomie