Experimental study on early diagnosis of compartment syndrome

Objective To make a new compartment syndrome animal model to find applicable methods for early diagnosis of compartment syndrome. Methods Twelve dogs' hind limbs were pressed by an pneumatic tourniquet to make an animal model. Creatine phosphokinase,glutamic oxalacetic transaminase enzyme, lactate dehydrogenase, tissue pressure, nerve conduction velocity and PtcO 2 were monitored dynamically and the biopsy was taken 96 hours after loosening the pneumatic tourniquet. Results Tissue pressure increased to 7.7kPa 12 hours after loosening the pneumatic tourniquet, and at the same time, creatine phosphokinase, glutamic oxalacetic transaminase enzyme and lactate dehydrogenase reached their peaks, PtcO 2 declined to one half of its normal value, pathological changes of muscle and nerve were irreversible. Conclusions The new animal model of compartment syndrome is successful;creatine phosphokinase, glutamic oxalacetic transaminase enzyme, lactate dehydrogenase, tissue pressure, NCV and PtcO 2 can be used as the early diagnostic parameters for compartment syndrome.