Pressure Alopecia Following Robotic Gynecological Surgery: Lessons From a Case Series on a Preventable Complication

    March 2026 in “ Indian Journal of Anaesthesia
    Tasneem Dhansura, R A Aswin, Imran Hamzawala, Nitin Bhorkar
    TLDR Proper precautions can prevent hair loss after robotic gynecological surgery.
    This case series investigates pressure alopecia (PA) as a complication following robotic pelvic surgeries, highlighting its occurrence even in surgeries lasting less than 4 hours. Six patients developed occipital pressure-related complications, including transient swelling and hair loss, with complete regrowth observed in all cases. The study emphasizes that factors such as steep Trendelenburg positioning, headrest pressure, and restricted repositioning contribute significantly to PA risk, rather than surgical duration alone. Preventive strategies include proper head positioning, using supportive headrests, and maintaining haemodynamic stability to mitigate this under-recognized complication.
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