[Compression phenomenon of the popliteal veins by bilateral compartment syndromes after many hours of surgery in lithotomy position].

We report on a case of a 64-year-old female patient who developed a compartment syndrome of both lower legs following an extensive surgical procedure performed in lithotomy position. In this case, surgery involved a conversion of a transversal colostomy to a sigmoidostomy. The duration of surgery was extended due to prior interventions. The clinical diagnosis was verified by phlebography and, more importantly, MRI. The phlebogram showed an external compression of the popliteal vein, the MRI an extensive muscle edema. We immediately performed a bilateral fasciotomy, which resulted in restitutio ad integrum. Compartment syndromes due to positioning during surgical procedures are most often encountered after colorectal and urological, but also after cardiosurgical operations.