Iatrogenic compartment syndrome

Summary We describe four patients suffering from lower limb compartment syndromes which were caused by constrictive bandages applied after stripping of varices. The dressing was errorously only partially removed, when the patients started complaining of severe pain and tension in the operated legs. The damages varied from extended irreversible neuromuscular defects to lesser functional handicaps. Three patients had corrective surgery. The clinical follow up over several years showed little improvement, secondary complaints were frequent.