Postoperative Occipital Pressure Sore: A Case Report / 대한마취과학회지

Prolonged soft tissue compression results in discomfort and pain secondary to local ischemia in normal individuals. During surgery, patients are immobile and unable to perceive the discomfort of prolonged pressure, and the anesthetized patient lacks a protective mechanism to prevent pressure sores. Many intrinsic and extrinsic factors are associated with pressure sore development; however, the intensity and duration of pressure are critical components in the etiology of pressure sores. We conclude that interface pressure on a patient lying on an operating table during a long operation is a primary factor of postoperative occipital pressure sores.

Common Peroneal Nerve Palsy Following Cardiac Surgery / 대한마취과학회지

Nerve injury associated with cardiac surgery and anesthesia is a well-recognized complication with a predilection for the upper half of the body. We report four cases of common peroneal nerve palsy following cardiac surgery that were not subject to external compression to fibular head. The diagnosis of nerve palsy was delayed because of a complicated postoperative course and intensive care, which prevented our determining the causes. The mechanisms of nerve injury are reviewed. We postulate that the etiology is multifactorial, including, old age, subnormal body habitus, prolonged knee flexion and rotation, coexisting disease, postoperative cardiovascular complications, and cardiopulmonary bypass.