Compartment Syndrome After Endoscopic Harvest of the Great Saphenous Vein During Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Compartment syndrome is a limb-threatening condition often associated with traumatic, crush, burn, and reperfusion injuries. It is characterized by the development of disproportionately severe pain, paresthesias, decreased range of motion, loss of pulse, and a tense, edematous limb. In addition, measured compartment pressures and creatine phosphokinase values are often elevated. The definitive treatment is a decompressive fasciotomy. Compartment syndrome after coronary artery bypass grafting, however, is rare. The few reported cases all occurred in the vein donor leg after open harvest. We present a patient with compartment syndrome after endoscopic harvest of the saphenous vein for coronary artery bypass grafting. (Ann Thorac Surg 2010; 89: 271-3) (C) 2010 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons