Bibliographic Review on Compartment Syndrome: Critical Evaluation of the 6 P's, Diagnostic Methods and Treatment Algorithms in Unconscious Patients

Background: The diagnosis of compartment syndrome (CS) traditionally relies on the clinical assessment of the “6 P’s” (pain, paresthesia, pallor, pulse, paralysis, and pressure). However, this subjective assessment poses limitations in unconscious patients, where communication ability is absent. Material and methods: A review of recent studies was conducted to evaluate the validity of the “6 P’s” and the incorporation of intracompartimental pressure measurement as an objective diagnostic method. Results: The reviewed literature indicates that intracompartimental pressure measurement is effective for the early identification of CS, particularly in high-risk patients and contexts with uncertain clinical signs. Conclusion: The integration of continuous monitoring devices and the standardization of cut-off values can improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce errors in the management of CS in unconscious patients.