Kohro S, Yamakage M, Takahashi T, Kondo M, Ota K, Namiki A.
Intermittent pneumatic compression prevents venous stasis in the lower
extremities in the lithotomy position.
Can J Anaesth 2002 Feb;49(2):144-7

Departments of Anesthesia Ebetsu Municipal Hospital Ebetsu, and the Sapporo
Medical University, School of Medicine, Sapporo Hokkaido Japan.

PURPOSE: To investigate the interactions of a new lithotomy positioning device
(LPD) with two intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) devices by measuring
femoral venous flow velocity. METHODS: Subjects were divided into three groups:
1) supine position as a control, 2) lithotomy position using a conventional LPD,
and 3) lithotomy position using a new LPD, Levitator(TM). These three groups were
further divided in two according to the type of IPC device used: AV-impulse(TM)
(rapid IPC) and SeQuel(TM) (standard IPC). Peak femoral venous flow velocity was
measured by using an ultrasonic echo diagnostic device. Data were analyzed by
one-way ANOVA with Fisher's test or by the unpaired two-tailed t test. RESULTS:
Moving to the conventional lithotomy position from the supine position, venous
flow velocity was decreased by 38% in both IPC device groups. Even when the new
LPD was used to support the lithotomy position, the flow velocity was decreased
by 24%, but the velocity was significantly higher than in the conventional
lithotomy position. Both rapid and standard IPC devices increased flow velocity
to 77% and 107% (first compression) and to 71% and 84% (fifth compression) of the
control values during compression, respectively. In the lithotomy position group
using the new LPD, similar increases in flow were seen with the use of IPC
devices. CONCLUSION: Both rapid and standard IPC devices are useful for
maintaining venous flow of the lower extremities in the lithotomy position.