Compartment syndrome suspected in domestic cat after radius and ulna fixation – Case report

Abstract

The compartmental syndrome is a condition, which leads to ischemia and necrosis of the tissues involved, causing, if not identified early severe injuries. We report here the case of a 3-year-old mongrel cat, with approximately 3.2 kg treated at a clinic in Cuiabá-MT, with complete fracture of the proximal radius and ulna in the right forelimb. The patient underwent surgery (osteosynthesis radio and ulna), 36 hours after the surgical procedure were observed signs of the syndrome as the decrease of the temperature 3 cm distal to the fracture, cyanosis, absence of pain and proprioception. Confronted with these symptoms fasciotomy was conducted in attempt to recover the blood perfusion. After 7 days of treatment, it was not possible to reverse the syndrome picture, resulting in amputation of the affected limb. So it is a serious condition, underdiagnosed that has no previous descriptions in the national literature, and when neglected leads in amputation.