Monitoring acute compartment pressures with the S.T.I.C. catheter.

A new solid-state transducer intracompartment (S.T.I.C.) catheter, combining a multiperforated polyethylene tip with a solid-state transducer, was developed to measure intracompartmental pressures. Its performance characteristics were compared with those of a conventional pressure-monitoring system. In animal and human studies, comparison of the S.T.I.C. catheter with a conventional pressure-monitoring system demonstrated satisfactory correspondence over a wide pressure range (0-100 mm Hg) and a prolonged monitoring period (12-16 hours). As well as being functionally superior to the conventional systems (wick, continuous infusion, slit), the S.T.I.C. catheter is easier to assemble, calibrate, maintain, and interpret. The S.T.I.C. is recommended as a diagnostic aid in both acute and chronic compartment syndromes.