External application of hypertonic salt solution for treatment of posttraumatic oedema.

In 20 New Zealand rabbits (two groups of 10 rabbits each), hind limb circumference and anterior compartment pressure were measured following ketamin anaesthesia (time zero). During the same anaesthesia, closed transverse proximal tibial shaft fractures were created in both groups. Twenty-four hours after the fractures, during a second anaesthesia, limb circumference and compartment pressure were measured as before, and fractured limbs were fixed to the rabbits' bodies. At the same time, treatment was started: one group received external application of saturated salt solution and the other group received intermittent ice application. During 48 hours of treatment (from 24 to 72 hours) in the saturated salt solution group, the mean limb circumference decreased from 125.70 +/- 9.93 mm to 115.70 +/- 8.78 mm (p = 0.005) and the mean compartment pressure decreased from 18.30 +/- 1.70 mmHg to 12.40 +/- 1.77 mmHg (p = 0.005). In the control group, the mean limb circumference decreased from 127.85 +/- 7.47 mm to 122.00 +/- 6.83 mm (not significant) and the mean compartment pressure decreased from 19.57 +/- 1.27 mmHg to 17.85 +/- 2.67 mmHg (not significant). In short, differences in compartment pressure and limb circumference before and after treatment were statistically significant in the saturated salt solution group (p = 0.005) but not in the control group.