[Postoperative antero-external tibial compartment syndrome: co-responsibility of the operating table].
A 26-year-old, ASA1 patient underwent maxillofacial surgery under general anaesthesia, of 12-hour duration in the supine position. Postoperatively he developed rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure. In the subsequent days, a bilateral leg compartment syndrome occurred with anterior tibial motor nerve injury requiring fasciotomies and excision of necrotic muscles. Several aetiological factors may have contributed to this accident: a long-lasting procedure, controlled hypotension and inappropriate position of the lower limbs. A laboratory study showed that the hardness of some new operating tables could be responsible for this complication. Some prophylactic measures are therefore required before the use of such devices.
Leroux
C
C
Service d'anesthésie-réanimation chirurgicale, Hôtel-Dieu, Nantes, France.
Béliard
C
C
Theolat
M
M
Testa
S
S
Péan
D
D
Moreau
D
D
Pinaud
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000868:Anterior Compartment Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D011187:Posture