Leroux C, Béliard C, Theolat M, Testa S, Péan D, Moreau D, Pinaud M
Service d'anesthésie-réanimation chirurgicale, Hôtel-Dieu, Nantes, France.
Ann Fr Anesth Reanim. 1999 Dec;18(10):1061-4. doi: 10.1016/s0750-7658(00)87440-7.
A 26-year-old, ASA1 patient underwent maxillofacial surgery under general anaesthesia, of 12-hour duration in the supine position. Postoperatively he developed rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure. In the subsequent days, a bilateral leg compartment syndrome occurred with anterior tibial motor nerve injury requiring fasciotomies and excision of necrotic muscles. Several aetiological factors may have contributed to this accident: a long-lasting procedure, controlled hypotension and inappropriate position of the lower limbs. A laboratory study showed that the hardness of some new operating tables could be responsible for this complication. Some prophylactic measures are therefore required before the use of such devices.
