Sucking Injury Related Impending Acute Compartment Syndrome in Pediatric: A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Compartment syndrome is a well-documented medical emergency most observed in traumatic injuries or conditions involving prolonged compression.

Case presentation: A 5-year-old boy patient presented to the emergency room with complaints of severe right leg pain and immobility after being sucked by a pool pump. His whole right leg was tender and hardened with tension skin, signifying underlying intracompartmental pressure escalation. Nevertheless, posterior tibial and dorsalis pedis artery pulsations were found with 99-100% Oxygen saturation through all distal digital. Pelvic, femur, and cruris X-Ray result showed soft tissue swelling with intact bone without dislocation. Considering good distal oxygen saturation, we decided to be hospitalized patient under close monitoring in intensive care unit (ICU) and delaying surgery procedure. After 4 days of total hospitalization (2 days ICU followed by 2 days ward), the patient was discharged with excellent clinical outcome.

Conclusion: Diagnosing compartment syndrome in pediatrics serves more challenging approach. Limited expression and communication skill of children warrant more suspiciousness from clinician to assess compartment syndrome. This case serves as a striking illustration of atypical pediatric compartment syndrome resulting from a sucking injury.