Bilateral lower extremity compartment syndrome after prolonged gynecological surgery in lithotomy position: a case report.

Abstract

Background: Acute compartment syndrome is a rare but serious complication following gynecological surgery in the lithotomy position, potentially resulting in permanent neuromuscular dysfunction or limb loss, making early recognition and prompt management essential.

Case presentation: A 41-year-old woman underwent a laparoscopic myomectomy for uterine fibroids, during which she was positioned in the high lithotomy and head-down position for 118 min. Six hours post-surgery, she experienced spasmodic pain and swelling in both lower extremities. Thirteen hours after surgery, her symptoms worsened, leading to the diagnosis of acute compartment syndrome in both legs. An emergency bilateral fasciotomy was performed, and the patient fully recovered within two months without any neuromuscular dysfunction.

Conclusions: ACS should be an important differential diagnosis for lower extremity pain after gynecologic surgery, especially with prolonged lithotomy positioning. Gynecologists should be vigilant for ACS signs and symptoms to prevent delayed diagnosis.