Bilateral Otorrhagia after Robotically Assisted Gynecologic Surgery in the Setting of a Reduced Trendelenburg Position and Low-Pressure Pneumoperitoneum: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Perioperative otorrhagia in association with nonotolaryngologic surgery is rare. The cause is typically attributed to the physiologic derangements associated with the Trendelenburg position and pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic surgery. The most well-accepted etiology is an increase in arterial and venous pressures causing the rupture of subcutaneous capillaries, although the exact etiology remains unclear. We present the first reported case of bilateral spontaneous otorrhagia associated with robotically assisted laparoscopic surgery involving a reduced Trendelenburg position and low-pressure pneumoperitoneum. Perioperative hypertension, female gender, advanced age, and increased bleeding risk may contribute to the development of this rare complication.

Keywords: Bloody otorrhea; Ear bleeding; Perioperative otorrhagia; Pneumoperitoneum; Robotically assisted laparoscopic surgery; Spontaneous ear hemorrhage; Trendelenburg.