[Compartmental syndrome of the lower limb--basic evaluation].
In order to clarify the structural background for compartmental syndrome in the lower limb, biomechanical study was carried out on cadavers and pathological investigation was done on amputated limbs in clinical cases. Experimental ligation of arteries was made on rats and histochemical analysis of the ischemic muscles was also performed. Furthermore, the pressure inside the leg compartments of normal controls was measured. Based on these observations, the following conclusions were drawn. Some structural specialties of compartments are responsible for the clinical fact that anterior compartment syndrome is most frequently seen in the lower limb. Circular fibers existing at the wall of the anterior compartment is probably related to frequent occurrence of a high pressure in the compartment. In the muscle with ischemic changes, regenerating muscle fibers are found just under the fascia. This fact suggests that the muscle fibers have possibilities of regaining their function. Ischemic change of nerves is more severe in the peroneal than in the tibial nerves. This fact may be due to the anatomical specialties of compartments rather than circulatory characteristics of nerves themselves.