Inverted harness syndrome causing compartment syndrome: A novel mechanism of trauma: 1st reported in literature

Abstract

About 150 labourers died at the recent Chamoli Avalanche & Glacier Burst at Nanda Devi (Himalayan Ranges) in India. Thousands of labourers are injured due to occupational accidents daily of which many are fatal accidents take place every day in the machinery sector. Indigenous innovative methods devised to accomplish tasks at work are common in our country. We report the case of a compartment syndrome sustained while using rope tied around the legs for Harness while climbing a coconut tree, termed as ‘Inverted Harness syndrome’ by authors due to analogy in mode to Harness syndrome but exactly opposite kinematics of injury. As described in the case report thorough work up by ATLS Protocol was done and finally the injury localized to increased compartmental pressure in both legs. After thorough investigation urgent fasciotomy was done. The outcome is good if the patient presents in time. To the best of our knowledge, this mechanism of injury hasn't been described in the literature so far.