Trocar injury of the retroperitoneal vessels followed by life-threatening postischemic compartment syndrome of both lower extremities.
BACKGROUND
Lesions of the intra-abdominal organs and vessels caused by trocars and Verres needles are rare but serious complications during laparoscopic surgery.


METHODS
We report an unusual case of left common iliac artery and inferior vena cava injury during laparoscopy. This lesion was followed by a bilateral postischemic compartment syndrome of the lower extremities. The patient sustained massive rhabdomyolysis, renal failure, peroneal nerve palsy, and functional loss of the lower extremities.


CONCLUSIONS
Postischemic tissue swelling should be recognized as early as possible because it is a life-threatening condition that necessitates immediate treatment.
Hauser
Joerg
J
Department of Plastic Surgery, BG-University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University-Bochum, Germany. joerg.hauser@rub.de
Lehnhardt
Marcus
M
Steinau
Hans-Ulrich
HU
Homann
Heinz-Herbert
HH
D000293:Adolescent; D001062:Appendectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000601:surgery*; D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D003646:Debridement; D006801:Humans; D007083:Iliac Artery / Q000293:injuries*; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D007511:Ischemia / Q000150:complications*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000473:pathology; D009336:Necrosis; D011028:Pneumoperitoneum, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections; D011677:Punctures; D012187:Retroperitoneal Space / Q000098:blood supply; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000382:microbiology; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000293:injuries