Efficacy of fasciotomy combined with hypertonic saline flushing for crush syndrome in rats

Objective To determine the therapeutic effect of fasciotomy+hypertonic saline flushing for crush syndrome (CS) in rats. Methods SD rats (weighing 250±20 g) were randomly divided into normal control group (NC group, n=10) and CS group (n=14).Rat CS model was established by compressing the buttocks and both hindlimbs with a weight of 7.5 kg for 4 h, and the presence of hematuria or anuria was defined as success of modeling.In 6 h after modeling, the fluid exuded from the compressed tissues was collected, and the contents of potassium ions (K+), calcium ions (Ca2+), myoglobin (Mb), and lactic acid (Lac) in the exudate of each group were detected.Another 63 male SD rats (weighing 250±20 g) were randomly and equally divided into blank control group (NC group), CS group, CS+fasciotomy group (CSO group), and CS+fasciotomy+difference doses of NaCl solution irrigation groups (0.9%, 3.0%, 5.0% and 7.0% NaCl, respectively).At 6 h after modeling, the renal blood flow was measured, the contents of K+, Ca2+, Mb, Lac, AST, ALT, Cr, and urea in the plasma of each group were detected, and the compressed tissues and kidney tissues were observed for pathological changes. Results Detection of exudates showed the contents of K+, Mb, and Lac were significantly higher, while that of Ca2+ content was obviously decreased in the CS group than the NC group (P < 0.01).Plasma detection indicated that simple fasciotomy had no therapeutic effect, while it combined with NaCl solution flushing decreased the contents of K+, Mb, Lac, AST, ALT, urea and Cr, and increased the Ca2+ content in the blood of the CS group (P < 0.05).Laser speckle contrast imaging revealed that simple fasciotomy could not increase renal blood flow, while the combination of fasciotomy and NaCl solution flushing notably increased the renal blood flow in the CS rats (P < 0.05).In addition, the combination treatment reduced the pathological damage in the kidneys induced by CS, but fasciotomy alone had no such effect (P < 0.5). Conclusion Fasciotomy combined with hypertonic NaCl solution (3%) flushing can significantly reduce the damage caused by CS in rats.