• R Lampert, E H Weih, E Breucking, S Kirchhoff, B Lazica, and K Lang.
• Institut für Anästhesie, Intensivmedizin und Schmerztherapie, Universität Witten-Herdecke.
• Anaesthesist. 1995 Jan 1; 44 (1): 43-7.

AbstractWe report two cases of compartment syndrome of the lower leg that occurred in male patients aged 62 and 57 years, respectively, after 10 and 12-h urological surgery in the lithotomy position. During sedation and mechanical ventilation creatine kinase (CK) activity of more than 8,000 U/l was found in both patients. After extubation, clinical symptoms of the compartment syndrome were found. On the 1st day after surgery patient 2 underwent fasciotomy of both lower legs (Fig. 2). No lasting neurologic defects were observed. Patient 1 was treated by fasciotomy on the 4th postoperative day after paresis of the peroneal nerve had developed in the left lower leg. This paresis had shown no tendency to regression when the patient left hospital. On phlebography, both patients showed blockage of the deep lower leg veins up to the knee. DISCUSSION. The compartment syndrome is a rare but serious complication resulting from prolonged surgery in the lithotomy position. Symptoms are neuromuscular lesions of the affected limb. Severe complications of the compartment syndrome are acute renal failure resulting from myoglobin residues in the tubules, electrolyte disturbances, and disorders of acid-base balance. A decrease in perfusion due to the elevated position of the legs, on the one hand, and the impeded venous back-flow due to the positioning on the other are discussed. While positioning the legs, it is important to ensure that the lower legs are lifted only slightly above left atrial level. When rehabdomyolysis occurs, serum CK activity increases. CK values of over 2,000 U/l after surgery may be considered a warning sign in ventilated and sedated patients, in whom early clinical symptoms of the compartment syndrome such as pain and paresthesias cannot be ascertained. Frequent and regular checks of these parameters starting shortly after surgery are recommended. A thorough examination of the lower legs and, if necessary, measurement of the tissue pressure in the compartment should follow. The deep veins of the legs should be checked by phlebography. In cases of verified compartment syndrome, early fasciotomy is the best choice of therapy, because neuromuscular defects are known to be irreversible after 12 to 24 h. Enforced diuresis is recommended in order to avoid renal complications.

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