Compartment syndrome diagnosed in due time by breakthrough pain despite continuous peripheral nerve block

Abstract

We here present a paediatric case with development of acute compartment syndrome in the lower leg secondary to a tibial shaft fracture. The patient was diagnosed in time because of breakthrough pain, despite a well-functioning continuous peripheral nerve block with ropivacaine infusion. Compartment syndrome is a potentially devastating complication to trauma, typically fractures of the tibial shaft and the forearm because of the relatively tight facias and small volume of these compartments.