Postoperative rhabdomyolysis following otoplasty: an autopsy case report

Postoperative rhabdomyolysis is a significant complication that can arise from prolonged surgery, causing potential harm to the kidneys and leading to acute renal failure. Despite its importance, the incidence of rhabdomyolysis following ear reconstruction surgery remains undocumented in the literature. In this report, we present a case study of a male patient in his forties who underwent otoplasty for ear reconstruction after the amputation of his right ear due to a physical assault. The surgery lasted for 8 h under general anesthesia, and unfortunately, the patient developed postoperative rhabdomyolysis, which resulted in severe renal failure and ultimately an unrecoverable cardiac arrest, leading to his death. The autopsy findings indicated no identifiable lesions except for organ congestion, while histopathology revealed acute tubular necrosis of the kidney and muscle rhabdomyolysis. Previous literature has explored the association between surgical duration, location, and rhabdomyolysis, underscoring that this condition is an infrequent yet preventable consequence of prolonged surgery. The co-occurrence of rhabdomyolysis and acute renal injury in this case suggests the presence of comorbidity, emphasizing the need for prompt action to mitigate the negative consequences of rhabdomyolysis. Awareness and early intervention are crucial in preventing and managing this condition effectively.

The safety and efficacy of percutaneous vertebroplasty for patients over 90 years old

OBJECTIVE

To retrospectively analyze the safety and efficacy of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) for patients aged 90 or over.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analyzed 130 consecutive patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures who underwent a first-time PVP between May 2015 and September 2017 at our institution. We divided them into the elder patient group aged 90 years or over (n = 21) and the younger patient group under 90 years (n = 109). We compared the two groups' background, treatments, and outcomes using univariate analyzes and the log rank test.

RESULTS

A significant difference was observed in dementia (19% in the younger group vs. 48% in the elder group, p < 0.01). No significant difference was revealed in the procedure time or the rate of complications. The post-PVP mobility function and the pain level were significantly improved compared to before PVP in both groups (p < 0.01 each). No significant differences were observed between the two groups in the recurrence of vertebral fracture after treatment (17% vs. 14%) or the 1-year survival rate (79% vs. 86%), respectively.

CONCLUSION

The results of our analyzes suggested that a PVP can safely and effectively contribute to pain relief as well as the restoration of ambulation for patients aged 90 or over.