Well leg compartment syndrome due to the lithotomy position in orthopedic surgery: a report of two cases and a review of the literature

The well leg compartment syndrome (WLCS) is a complication that can occur because of the lithotomy surgical position. Although it is a very rare entity, it can lead to a permanent disability if not properly treated. Very few cases have been described in the literature as a result of orthopedic surgery. We present two cases of WLCS that developed because of the lithotomy position. The first case concerns a patient who sustained a left floating knee and developed a compartment syndrome of the right uninjured calf during surgery. A good outcome has been achieved after early fasciotomies. The second case is about a patient who developed a compartment syndrome of the right buttock after a left unicompartmental knee replacement. This patient was treated conservatively because of delayed diagnosis. A brief literature review regarding the WLCS in orthopedic surgery is also conducted.