Venous circulation after fasciotomy of the lower leg in man.

The study was performed in order to evaluate the effect of fasciotomy of the lower leg on venous circulation and venous muscle pump function. Twenty patients with unilateral fasciotomy were investigated with photoplethysmography (PPG), strain-gauge plethysmography, foot volumetry and Doppler ultrasound. In the operated legs shorter venous refilling times were registered both with PPG (P less than 0.01) and foot volumetry (P less than 0.05). PPG recordings from different parts of the leg showed regional changes in venous circulation with shorter refilling times only with the transducer placed over the affected muscular compartment. With foot volumetry a reduced expelled volume was found in patients earlier treated with extensive fasciotomies. The results of the study indicate that an intact muscle fascia is of importance for venous return and venous pump function.