Aortic thrombosis after low anterior resection for rectal cancer: report of a case

Pelvic surgery for malignant disease has been associated with numerous acute postoperative complications. These complications are primarily vascular or neurologic in origin. Several factors associated with the occurrence of these complications include the lithotomy position, the prolonged use of sequential compression devices, the use of certain types of stirrups, the presence of peripheral vascular disease, and the common hypercoagulable state of most cancer patients. We report for the first time a case of aortic thrombosis after elective low anterior resection for rectal cancer and discuss some factors that may have a role in the occurrence of this devastating complication.