Preventing well leg compartment syndrome among patients in the lithotomy position-Operating room nurses' perspectives: A qualitative study.
Johansson Susanne, Hörnsten Åsa
PMID 37571958WHAT IT FOUND
Operating room nurses felt solely responsible for preventing well leg compartment syndrome during lithotomy positioning but lacked clear routines.
They relied on the WHO checklist and teamwork to track time in leg supports, though many reported inconsistent local guidelines and gaps in knowledge about risk factors.
Key findings
01Nurses reported that routines for managing time in the lithotomy position varied significantly between hospitals and surgical clinics, with some lacking written guidelines entirely.
02The WHO surgical safety checklist was used to track surgery duration, but nurses suggested it needed specific prompts for leg position changes and wound checks.
03Some nurses admitted to limited knowledge of the specific causes of compartment syndrome, relying instead on experience and team reminders.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Small sample size of 11 participants from two hospitals in Sweden, limiting generalizability. Recruitment difficulties meant many potential participants were excluded due to lack of time or manager unwillingness. The first author conducted the focus groups alone, whereas dual facilitation is often recommended. The study explored nurses' perspectives and experiences, not clinical outcomes or incidence rates of compartment syndrome.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The study was funded by the educational programme.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret these findings as evidence that specific positioning routines prevent compartment syndrome. This is a qualitative study of nurses' perceptions and reported practices, not a clinical trial measuring patient outcomes.