Hepatic compartment syndrome complicating a right laparoscopic nephrectomy and treated by surgical decompression

The hepatic compartment syndrome (HCS) corresponds to compression of the intraparenchymal liver tissue (intrahepatic pressure greater than the portal vein pressure, i.e. >10-15mmHg) caused by a subcapsular or intraparenchymal hematoma of the liver. It can lead to reversal of portal flow and hepatic parenchymal necrosis. We report the case of a patient who underwent a right radical nephrectomy by laparoscopy and who presented with HCS due to a subcapsular hematoma of the liver. Emergency decompression of the liver via laparotomy was performed, which allowed rapid clinical and laboratory improvement.