[Compartment syndrome of the hand. Diagnosis, therapy, results, late sequelae].

Ischemic necrosis of the intrinsic muscles of the hand has been known about for decades, as has the resulting local ischemic contracture in the hand. As isolated compartment syndrome of the hand is a rare condition, this term has not yet become established. The etiopathology, diagnosis, therapy and results of treatment in 13 patients treated for compartment syndrome of the hand are presented. At the time of our follow-up study, 3 patients had died and 2 did not attend. In 1 patient the upper limb had meanwhile had to be amputated. Thus, late results were examined in 7 patients, but 2 of these had not recovered any hand function, as they had suffered a brachial plexus lesion on the affected side. In 5 patients the range of motion was unimpaired, but a slight loss of strength persisted in 4 patients and 1 patient complained of moderate paresthesia at the palmar scar. Despite the small number of patients, we feel that these results emphasize the need for early and adequate decompression in the case of compartment syndrome of the hand.