Accurate compartment pressure measurement using the Intervenous Alarm Control (IVAC) Pump. Report of a technique.

This study demonstrates the accuracy of a common, readily available pressure transducer system (IVAC pump) for the measurement of compartment syndromes. An in vitro assay was used to compare the accuracy of the IVAC pump manometer with the Hewlett-Packard monometer (HP78532B) and a miniaturized digital fluid pressure manometer (Stryker). The IVAC pump was accurate within 2.4 mm Hg difference of the HP78532B and Stryker manometers. Twenty-five patients suspected of having compartment syndrome posttibial fracture had compartment pressures measured using the IVAC pump. In all the patients, compartment syndrome was accurately assessed (positive in one case and negative in the remainder). The IVAC pump is readily available in most hospitals. It is easy to use and provides accurate measurements of compartment pressures.