Blood flow in the calves during surgery.

The volume flow in the calves was measured by means of plethysmography in 14 patients who had a cholecystectomy and in 3 patients who had a wedge biopsy of the breast. The blood flow increased 100% during abdominal surgery, while no change was observed during the extraabdominal operation. When the legs were placed horizontally during cholecystectomy clear signs of venous pooling were observed. Venous pooling in the calves increased when pillows were placed in the popliteal fossae to prevent over-stretching of the knees. Elevation of the legs 20 degrees in the hip joints decreased the venous stasis considerably. Except for intermittent effects on the circulation caused by strong retraction of the intestines, no clear-cut change in the degree of venous stasis was observed during the course of a cholecystectomy.