Risk Factors and Timing of Fasciotomy for Isolated Pediatric Lower Extremity Trauma

BackgroundPrevious single-center reports have demonstrated a longer time from traumatic leg injury to fasciotomy in pediatric trauma patients (PTPs) with compartment syndrome. We hypothesized most fasciotomies in isolated pediatric lower extremity trauma (LET) are delayed (<u>></u>6 hours from admission) and sought to investigate risk factors for pediatric fasciotomy.MethodsThe 2017-2020 TQIP database was queried for PTPs <u><</u>17 years old with isolated injury to the leg. The primary outcome was fasciotomy. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify associated risk factors for fasciotomy.ResultsFrom 97,217 PTPs, 358 (0.4%) underwent a fasciotomy, with a majority being delayed (60.3%); the median time to fasciotomy was 9.6 hours. Patients undergoing fasciotomy were older (median age 14 vs 12 years, <i>P</i> < 0.001), had a higher rate of severe LET (4.9% vs 1.2%, <i>P</i> < 0.001), and had tibial fracture (70.7% vs 27.6%, <i>P</i> < 0.001). They also had increased rates of in-hospital complications (14.2% vs 0.6%, <i>P</i> < 0.001), limb loss (1.1% vs <0.1%, <i>P</i> < 0.001), and longer median length of stay (LOS) (5 vs 2 days, <i>P</i> < 0.001). The most injured vessel in those undergoing fasciotomy was the popliteal artery (9.9%). Independent risk factors associated with fasciotomy included injuries to the popliteal vein (OR 30.72, CI 11.06-85.29, <i>P</i> < 0.001), femoral vein (OR 18.19, CI 6.40-51.69, <i>P</i> < 0.001), and popliteal artery (OR 13.74, CI 8.45-22.34, <i>P</i> < 0.001) and tibial fracture (OR 7.46, CI 5.57-10.00, <i>P</i> < 0.001).DiscussionMost fasciotomies were delayed for PTPs with isolated lower extremity injury. Popliteal vein injury increases the risk for fasciotomy 30-fold. Patients undergoing fasciotomy tend to have more complications and longer LOS.