REAMED TIBIAL INTERLOCK NAILING;

Objective: The objective is to measure preoperative and postoperative compartment pressure in reamed tibial interlock nailingusing Whitesides infusion technique. Duration: This study is carried out from September 2007 to August 2008 Setting: Department ofOrthopedic and Spine Surgery of Hayatabad Medical Complex Peshawar Material and Methods: Thirty consecutive patients that werecandidates for closed reamed interlock nailing of the tibia and there compartment pressure were measured preoperatively and postoperativelyby Whiteside infusion technique. Results: Average age of patient was 35 years. Male were 26(86.66%) and female were 4(13.34%). Therewere 12(40%) type A and 18(60%) type B fractures according to Orthopedic Trauma Association (OTA) AO classification. Twenty seven (90%)factures were due to motor vehicle accident and 3(10%) were due to fall. The minimum preoperative pressure in superficial posteriorcompartment was 7 millimeter of mercury (mm Hg), deep posterior compartment was 10 mm Hg, anterior compartment was 10 mm Hg, lateralcompartment was 10 mm Hg while maximum pressure in was 25, 25, 25 and 25 mm Hg respectively. The maximum post operative pressure insuperficial posterior compartment was 10 mm Hg minimum and 25 mm Hg maximum, deep posterior compartment was 15 and 28 , anteriorcompartment was 15 and 30 and in lateral compartment was 10 mm Hg minimum and 30 mm Hg maximum. The minimum diastolic bloodpressure was 65 and maximum was 90 mm Hg. Conclusions: Compartment pressure measurement by Whitesides’ infusion technique is asimple and effective method for monitoring the intracompartmental pressure. It avoids unnecessary fasciotomy that has an extra morbidity interms of infection and skin coverage.