Date of Award

Spring 4-19-2024

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Medical Science (MMSc)

First Advisor

Rey Ramirez, MD

Abstract

Acute compartment syndrome is a condition of increased pressure in injured extremities leading to decreased oxygen delivery and tissue death in the limb. This condition requires prompt diagnosis to avoid complications such as muscle death and amputation. The current diagnostic standards rely on clinical findings, which are subjective, or compartment pressure measurements, which are painful, invasive, and prone to error. Near-infrared spectroscopy has shown promise as a direct, objective, and non-invasive alternative in identifying compartment syndrome. Tibia fractures are the most common predisposing injury to compartment syndrome. We propose a randomized controlled trial evaluating near-infrared spectroscopy to test for compartment syndrome in patients with tibia fractures. We hypothesize that diagnosis by near-infrared spectroscopy will reduce the complication rate in patients screened for acute compartment syndrome compared with those who receive diagnosis by clinical findings. This study will help determine whether near-infrared spectroscopy is a superior test for acute compartment syndrome.

Comments

This is an open access thesis

Open Access

This Article is Open Access

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