CompletedNot Applicable

The Effects of Prolonged Head-Down Tilt Lithotomy Position on Lower Limb Haemodynamics

United Kingdom26 participantsStarted 2024-07-22

Plain-language summary

During certain bowel surgeries for cancer (colorectal surgery), individuals frequently have to be placed in a head-down position to enable surgeons have optimal access to the cancer site. This position usually also involves bending the hips and knees while supporting the legs in stirrups. However, lying in this position for long periods of time can lower the flow of blood to the legs, which can potentially cause injury. This rare but severe consequence is called Well-Leg Compartment Syndrome (WLCS). If WLCS is not diagnosed quickly, it can lead to other difficult complications and a significant delay in recovery. Unfortunately, because the individual is under anaesthesia, diagnosis is delayed in many cases. There is very little information in the medical literature about how this damage to the legs progresses over the course of the surgery. To better understand how WLCS, how well blood vessels work during surgery will be assessed. The flow of blood and oxygen in the calf muscle will be assessed in 25 individuals placed in a head-down position during colorectal surgery. Likewise, blood samples will be obtained in order to measure the biological markers that may contribute to the development of WLCS.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults scheduled to undergo colorectal surgery in the HDTL position Exclusion Criteria: * History of myocardial infarction or cerebro-vascular events in the last 12 months * Previous revascularisation procedure in their lower limbs * BMI \> 40 kg/m2 * Inability to give informed consent * Other serious medical conditions, which in the opinion of study investigators, would interfere with safety or data interpretation

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1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
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5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

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1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
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What they're measuring

Cutaneous blood flow

Timeframe: baseline, during the surgery

Trial details

NCT IDNCT06036641

SponsorUniversity of Portsmouth

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2025-11-03

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Compartment Syndrome Nontraumatic Lower Extremity trials