An overlooked complication of bariatric surgery: Gluteal compartment syndrome

Abstract

Gluteal compartment syndrome (GCS) is an uncommon non-traumatic rhabdomyolysis induced by staying in the same position for a long time during a surgical operation or under the effect of drugs. In bariatric surgery, overweight patients are more prone to this syndrome. If a patient has complaints such as hip or leg pain, sciatic nerve palsy and red-brown colored urine in the post-op period, GCS should be taken into consideration. For patients having a long operation time due to technical problems, the creatinine kinase level should be controlled and the gluteal region should be examined carefully. The treatment options of GCS include early aggressive fluid replacement, alkalinization of urine with sodium bicarbonate, surgical decompression and debridement. Here we present a case of a 40-year-old obese patient who underwent bariatric surgery resulting in GCS, renal failure, and death.