[Rhabdomyolysis and compartment syndrome of two forearms after robotic assisted prolonged surgery]

Abstract

Robotic assisted laparoscopic surgery allows for a more precise dissection than classical laparoscopic surgery. However, it sometimes imposes specific exaggerated postures and extralong procedure duration. Combining these two factors may increase the risk for postural complications in at-risk patients. We report the case of an obese 30-year-old female patient who underwent a 12-hour duration robotic laparoscopic surgery for severe endometriosis, in Trendelenburg position. This was complicated by a two forearms rhabdomyolysis, with subsequent compartment syndrome with multiple neuropathy. Physicians must be aware of the cumulative risk for postural complications when extreme positions are associated to long duration procedures in predisposed patients.