prevention of experimental deep pectoral myopathy of the fowl by fasciotomy

In a previous publication evidence was produced indicating that deep pectoral myopathy (Oregon disease) of turkeys and broilers may be analogous to "march gangrene" of man, a condition which results from strangulation of exercised anterior tibial muscles in a tight, inelastic myofascial compartment. A similar situation pertains in the heavy-chested domestic birds, where the supracoracoid muscle is also enclosed in an osteofascial compartment which prevents the normal enlargement of exercised muscle. In the present experiment it is shown that the supracoracoid myopathy induced experimentally by indirect muscle stimulation can be prevented by surgical incision of the constricting fascia. This would confirm the pathogenesis we have suggested for experimental and spontaneous deep pectoral myopathy. In light-weight, laying strains deep pectoral fasciotomy is ineffective in preventing the development of similar lesions brought about by experimental vascular occlusion.