Utilization and wide clinical implementation using the wick catheter for compartment pressure measurement.

A series of 71 patients was identified and studied over a period of 30 months. Twenty-five patients underwent fasciotomy, all but one patient had a compartment pressure finding of more than 30 millimeters of mercury. Sixteen patients underwent fasciotomy on the basis of pressure measurement alone. Patients with a pressure measurement of less than or equal to 30 millimeters of mercury and those with an absence of clinical findings were spared fasciotomy. Continued accumulation of data in various patient groups should yield specific comments and observations using this important adjunctive technique.