Measurement of intracompartmental pressure: a comparison of the slit catheter, side-ported needle, and simple needle.

An experimental model of acute compartment syndrome involving the anterolateral compartment of the hindlimb in dogs was used to compare three methods of measurement of intracompartmental pressure: the simple-needle technique, use of the slit catheter, and use of the side-ported needle. No statistical difference was found between the values obtained with the slit catheter and those obtained with the side-ported needle; the mean difference was 1.4 millimeters of mercury throughout the range of compartment pressures that were measured. The side-ported needle appeared to be as accurate as the slit catheter for the measurement of compartment pressures (p = 0.355, 1-beta = 0.9). The values obtained with use of the simple needle were consistently higher than those obtained with the other two methods (p < 0.001): an average of 18.3 millimeters of mercury higher than the values measured with the slit catheter and 19.3 millimeters of mercury higher than those measured with the side-ported needle. Clinically, the side-ported needle or the slit catheter can be used to obtain accurate measurements of compartment pressure. Use of the simple 18-gauge needle is not recommended for this purpose.