Lower limb compartment syndrome as a complication of laparoscopic laser surgery for severe endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of lower limb compartment syndrome (LLCS) during long duration laparoscopic interventions for resection of extensive endometriosis, and evaluate the efficiency of a novel patient positioning method to reduce its prevalence.


METHODS
Case report and observational study.


METHODS
University Hospitals, Belgium.


METHODS
Thirty-year-old woman undergoing a long duration laparoscopic intervention for resection of stage IV pelvic endometriosis.


METHODS
Laparoscopic intervention for resection of stage IV pelvic endometriosis.


METHODS
The occurrence of LLCS after laparoscopic surgery for extensive endometriosis, in this case, and the prevention of subsequent LLCS after the application of a novel patient positioning method including the following steps: maximal avoidance of the lithotomy position, patient positioning in a modified supine position, mobilization of the legs of the patient in between different surgical phases, and application of intermittent compression stockings.


RESULTS
The prevalence of lower limb compartment syndrome has been reduced to 0 since the application of the new patient positioning method.


CONCLUSIONS
Lower limb compartment syndrome can be prevented in patients undergoing long duration multidisciplinary laparoscopic resection of extensive endometriosis by a novel sequential positioning method of patients before and during surgery.
Tomassetti
Carla
C
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Leuven University Fertility Centre, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Meuleman
Christel
C
Vanacker
Bernard
B
D'Hooghe
Thomas
T
D000328:Adult; D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007866:Leg; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011187:Posture; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D053828:Stockings, Compression