Working in a Critical Care setting, I had the privilege to handle a patient with a case of lower leg swelling. The patient had a crushing injury to his left lower leg.
Fasciotomy is a limb-saving procedure to be done for compartment syndrome. Compartment syndrome usually develops when one of the veins or muscle has an insufficient blood supply. This condition usually associated with numbness and swelling of the affected site since circulation was impeded. Other indications of this procedure are for those who were obese and with severe burns.
The next picture is a case of a severe burn. In severe burn injury, there is an increase in vascular permeability, increased interstitial osmotic pressure and cellular edema. Due to fluid shifting, there are translocations in the distribution of water and solute. In order to prevent compartment syndrome, fasciotomy is the best procedure to be done.
The next picture is a case of a severe burn. In severe burn injury, there is an increase in vascular permeability, increased interstitial osmotic pressure and cellular edema. Due to fluid shifting, there are translocations in the distribution of water and solute. In order to prevent compartment syndrome, fasciotomy is the best procedure to be done.
I had the chance to assist with the procedure at bedside since it was an emergency procedure. This procedure is usually done by a Vascular Surgeons. I was astonished as of how the procedure was done.
If not done as soon as possible, impede blood circulation, will cause amputation of the affected leg. This is done to relieve pressure to the patient's leg with severe swelling. More often than not, a patient with compartment syndrome, the affected site has greater than 2 seconds capillary refill and nail-beds appears dusky or cyanotic.
If not done as soon as possible, impede blood circulation, will cause amputation of the affected leg. This is done to relieve pressure to the patient's leg with severe swelling. More often than not, a patient with compartment syndrome, the affected site has greater than 2 seconds capillary refill and nail-beds appears dusky or cyanotic.
As a Nurse, we have duties and responsibilities for cases like this.
Monitor vital signs to include Blood pressure, respiration, pulse rate and oxygen saturation.
Monitor vital signs to include Blood pressure, respiration, pulse rate and oxygen saturation.
Sterility is our utmost priority when assisting the procedure and dressing.Monitoring of patient's coagulation profile.
Monitor signs of bleeding to the operative site.
Measurement of the post fasciotomy site should be done daily, once swelling improved, sutures will be tightened little by little. Monitor signs of bleeding to the operative site.
Hope I have given you some input. Feel free to comment below for additional ideas.
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