Patient Sustains Lower Back Injury During Gynecological Surgery

This case involves a thirty-seven-year-old female patient who presented to the emergency room complaining of chronic back pain in the lower lumbar region. She suffered the injury after undergoing a dilation and curettage procedure. The patient stated that the pain started after her surgery and had gotten progressively worse in recent months. The patient had to undergo a L4-L5 discectomy and several rounds of steroid injections to alleviate the chronic pain syndrome.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

1. Can the lithotomy position cause damage during surgery?

Expert Witness Response E-000051

Some studies have found a significant relationship between prolonged surgical procedures with the patient in the lithotomy position and a circulatory complication known as compartment syndrome. Nerve injury by pressure is also possible, as the femoral or peroneal nerves are at risk. I am not aware of any complications including spinal or disc injuries during these types of surgery maneuvers.