Post-operative alopecia after robotic surgery in steep Trendelenburg position: a restated observation of pressure alopecia.

Abstract

Postoperative alopecia is an uncommon complication and its outcome is aesthetically drastic. Although its mechanism has not been clearly elucidated, a proposed risk factor is steep Trendelenburg positioning (30-40 degrees) that is frequently used during robotic gynecologic surgeries. We report a case of postoperative alopecia in 53-year-old female patient who had undergone robotic-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy and bilateral salpingoophorectomy with sacrocolpopexy and cystoscopy. Prevention of alopecia with proper head positioning, avoidance of mechanical compression by rigid objects and maintenance of intraoperative hemodynamics is of utmost importance for anesthesiologists.