Two cases of compartment syndrome of the lower extremities during surgery for gynecological malignancies.

Two cases of compartment syndrome of the lower extremities occurring during surgery for gynecological malignancies are reported. In addition to the risk from being in the lithotomy position for over 4 h, these two cases were believed to have been caused by the combined use of a disposable wound retractor and abdominal retractors to secure the operative field. This conclusion is based on the fact that an abrupt increase in partial pressure of end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) was observed when wound drapes and abdominal retractors were removed approximately 4 h after the start of surgery. Prolonged compression of the external iliac vein by a disposable wound retractor and abdominal retractors is believed to have induced congestion of the lower extremities, eventually resulting in compartment syndrome. To verify this, during subsequent surgeries of the same type, changes in the diameters of femoral arteries and veins when a disposable wound retractor and abdominal retractors were used were monitored using an ultrasound device, and the findings confirmed that changes in vascular diameter do occur.