title: Compartment syndrome of the well leg as a result of the hemilithotomy position: a report of two cases and review of literature.
abstract: Compartment syndrome in the well leg as a complication of prolonged positioning in a hemilithotomy position is a serious complication that is rarely reported in the orthopaedic literature. A similar entity has been well described in urologic, gynecologic, and general surgery literature but, to the authors' knowledge, has been reported in only seven patients in the orthopaedic literature. The authors report two cases of unilateral compartment syndrome in a well leg during femoral nailing of the contralateral leg. Risk factors, theories of pathogenesis, and preventive measures are identified and discussed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, 1356 Lusitana Street, Honolulu, HI 96813, U.S.A.
authors.forename: P V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Mathews
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Perry
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Murray
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000868:Anterior Compartment Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D009765:Obesity; D011187:Posture; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013997:Time Factors