Fasciotomy Health Dictionary

An operation to relieve pressure on muscles by making an incision in the fascia (fibrous connective tissue) that surrounds them. The operation is usually performed to treat compartment syndrome, a painful condition in which constriction of a group of muscles causes obstruction of blood flow. Fasciotomy is also sometimes performed as a surgical emergency after an injury has resulted in muscle swelling or bleeding within a muscle compartment.

An operation to relieve pressure on muscles caused by tight surrounding FASCIA or ?brous CONNECTIVE TISSUE. The fascia is slit with an incision.

n. a procedure used to relieve or prevent *compartment syndrome by incising the fascial compartment containing the muscle(s) involved and the overlying skin. The wound is then allowed to close by direct primary closure, secondary intention (see also delayed suture), or placement of a skin graft over the defect once the muscle swelling has resolved.