Late-Onset Development of Compartment Syndrome Following Penetrating Extremity Trauma With Vascular Injury: A Case Report.

Abstract

We report three patients with late onset development of compartment syndrome after penetrating trauma. A 27-year-old male with a ballistic fibula fracture, a 32-year-old male with an ulnar shaft fracture from a stab wound, and a 17-year-old female with a ballistic fibula fracture. These patients developed symptoms 130, 50, and 127 h after injury, respectively, and each were found to have concomitant vascular injuries. These cases highlight the phenomenon of late onset development of compartment syndrome after penetrating trauma with concomitant vascular injury, underscoring the need for a high index of suspicion, serial exams, and patient education.