Jornal Vascular Brasileiro
https://www.jvascbras.org/article/doi/10.1590/1677-5449.180117
Jornal Vascular Brasileiro
Case Report

Bilateral compartment syndrome of the lower limbs after urological surgery in the lithotomy position: a clinical case

Síndrome compartimental dos membros inferiores após cirurgia urológica na posição de litotomia: um relato de caso

José Maciel Caldas dos Reis; Lauro José Mendes Queiroz; Pablo Ferreira Mello; Renan Kleber Costa Teixeira; Fábio de Azevedo Gonçalves

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Abstract

Abstract: Acute compartment syndrome of the lower extremities after urological surgery in the lithotomy position is a rare but potentially devastating clinical and medicolegal problem. We report the case of a 67-year-old male who underwent laparoscopic prostatectomy surgery to treat cancer, spending 180 minutes in surgery. Postoperatively, the patient developed acute compartment syndrome of both legs, needing emergency bilateral four-compartment fasciotomies, with repeated returns to the operating room for second-look procedures. The patient also exhibited delayed wound closure. He regained full function within 6 months, returning to unimpaired baseline activity levels. This report aims to highlight the importance of preoperative awareness of this severe complication which, in conjunction with early recognition and immediate surgical management, may mitigate long-term adverse sequelae and improve postoperative outcomes.

Keywords

compartment syndromes, fasciotomy, postoperative complications

Resumo

Resumo: A síndrome compartimental aguda dos membros inferiores após cirurgia urológica na posição de litotomia é um problema clínico e médico-legal raro, mas potencialmente devastador. Reportamos o caso de um homem de 67 anos submetido a uma prostatectomia laparoscópica por câncer. A cirurgia durou 180 min. No pós-operatório, o paciente desenvolveu síndrome compartimental aguda de ambos os membros inferiores, necessitando de fasciotomias de urgência, com retornos repetidos à sala de cirurgia para procedimentos adicionais. O paciente também apresentou fechamento tardio da ferida. Ele recuperou a função completa dentro de 6 meses e retornou a um nível de atividade basal irrestrito. Este artigo tem a importância de ressaltar a consciência pré-operatória desta grave complicação que, em conjunto com o reconhecimento precoce e o tratamento cirúrgico imediato, pode mitigar sequelas adversas em longo prazo e melhorar os resultados pós-operatórios.
 

Palavras-chave

síndromes compartimentais, fasciotomia, complicações pós-operatórias

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