The chief of orthopedic trauma and the chairman of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Toledo Medical School, Professor Nabil Ebraheim, MD, has pioneered multiple surgical techniques, including bedside fasciotomy. Nabil Ebraheim, MD, and the coauthors of a largely cited and used technique bedside fasciotomy study were the first to put into literature discussion of the bedside fasciotomy referencing a large number of cases.
Fasciotomy is a type of surgery performed on patients who have acute compartment syndrome, a painful condition that involves pressure building in the muscles. This procedure usually takes place in an operating room using general anesthesia. Bedside fasciotomy, however, takes place at the bedside under local anesthesia.
It is a quicker way to address the condition if for some reason there is a delay in conducting the procedure in the operating room. Some reasons for delay may include a lack of availability of the operating room, short staff, or reluctance on the part of the patient. If acute compartment syndrome is not handled as soon as possible, permanent muscle damage can occur. The bedside procedure allows for the issue to be addressed as quickly as possible.
Dr. Nabil Ebraheim's Blog 