Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Assistant (OMSA) Practice Exam

The surgical procedure performed to relieve pressure in cases of compartment syndrome is fasciotomy. Compartment syndrome occurs when there is increased pressure within a closed muscle compartment, leading to diminished blood flow and potential muscle and nerve damage. A fasciotomy involves making an incision through the fascia surrounding the affected compartment to alleviate the pressure, restore circulation, and prevent further complications.

This procedure is critical because if left untreated, the condition can lead to irreversible damage. Fasciotomy allows for the expansion of the compartment, enabling the muscles and nerves to recover.

While incision and drainage, decompression surgery, and tenotomy are important surgical techniques, they are not specifically designed to treat compartment syndrome. Incision and drainage is typically used for abscesses, decompression surgery may refer to procedures done in the context of other conditions like herniation or pressure on the spinal cord, and tenotomy involves cutting a tendon to relieve tension or correct deformity. None of these directly address the specific need to relieve compartment pressure as effectively as a fasciotomy does.