Fasciotomy for chronic compartment syndrome.

During 1977 and 1978, we operated on 34 patients with chronic anterior tibial compartment syndrome. Surgery consisted of subcutaneous fasciotomy of the anterior crural compartment under local anesthesia. Twenty-three patients were operated on bilaterally. The mean follow-up was 10 years. One patient was lost to follow-up, leaving a total of 56 legs for assessment. The long-term result was excellent in 31 legs, good in 10, fair in 11, and poor in 4. There was one recurrence. This was relieved by refasciotomy.