We used them only during treatment of intramuscular VMs within confined muscular compartments, in order to diminish swelling and lessen therisk for muscle compartment syndrome (iv. dexametha-sone perioperatively and po. prednisolone for 2–4 dayswith decreasing doses). We typically discharged thepatient on the same or the following day and decidedeach follow-up schedule individually. If no furtherinterventions or follow-up visits were scheduled,we encouraged the patient if symptoms returned tocontact us.