COMPARTMENT SYNDROME - A COMPLICATION OF OPERATIONS IN LITHOTOMY POSITION

Urological operations are commonly performed in the lithotomy position . A rare, but serious, complication is the compartment syndrome, which can result in neurovascular damage and permanent disability or limb l oss. We describe two cases of compartment syndrome. One arose after tr ansurethral resection of the prostate, and the other after an operatio n to change a transsexual patient from man to woman. The literature is reviewed, and the causes of the syndrome and possible ways of prevent ing serious consequences to the patients affected are discussed.