TRAUMA · MEMBERSHIP SURGERY

Compartment syndrome — 27M, closed tibial fracture

10 decision points ~22 min Difficulty 5/5 Membership

Setting

You are the surgical registrar covering the trauma bay and cross-covering orthopaedics overnight. It is 02:00. Emergency theatre is available, and orthopaedics is contactable from home.

Patient

Mr F, a 27-year-old motorcyclist, was brought in 4 hours ago after a low-speed collision with a taxi. He has a closed mid-shaft tibial fracture that has been reduced and back-slabbed. He now complains of severe calf pain despite morphine 20 mg total, pain on passive toe extension, and paraesthesiae in the first web space.

Reference stack

Bailey & Love 28e Ch 34 · Sabiston 21e Ch 22 · Mubarak & Hargens 1978 · AAST fasciotomy consensus

Start cascade →

You'll be asked to decide what happens next at each step. There's no timer — take your time. The correct answer + evidence-anchored rationale is revealed after each choice.