Monitoring Acute Compartment Pressures with the S.T.I.C. Catheter

A new solid-state transducer intracompartment (S.T.I.C.) catheter, combining a multiperforated polyethylene tip with a solid-state transducer, was developed to measure intracompartmental pressures. Its performance characteristics were compared with those of a conventional pressure-monitoring system. In animal and human studies, comparison of the S.T.I.C. catheter with a conventional pressure-monitoring system demonstrated satisfactory correspondence over a wide pressure range (0–100 mm Hg) and a prolonged monitoring period (12–16 hours). As well as being functionally superior to the conventional systems (wick, continuous infusion, slit), the S.T.I.C. catheter is easier to assemble, calibrate, maintain, and interpret. The S.T.I.C. is recommended as a diagnostic aid in both acute and chronic compartment syndromes.