Sindromi Compartimentali Acute: Riflessioni Medico-Legali su dieci casi

The acute compartment syndrome are pathological conditions with various etiology, characterized by increased pressure within one or more closed body spaces, fascial or osteo-fascial, with compromised perfusion and function of tissues in those spaces. These conditions, if not properly and promptly treated, lead to ischemia and necrosis, with fibrous tissue replacing of affected structures and inevitable functional damage. Only a timely treatment, carried out immediately, may prevent or limit the consequences of ischemic damage and, therefore, not infrequently these events lead to legal dispute with hypothesis of inadequate or late diagnosis and/or treatment. Starting from ten cases of personal observation and after an examination of literature, the authors have tried to highlight the possible existence of medical professional liability, with reflections on the assessment of personal damage.