Facial Petechiae Following Laparoscopic Surgery: A Case Report of Rumpel-Leede Phenomenon.

Petechial development as a result of venous compression has variously been described as acute dermal capillary rupture, mask phenomenon, and Rumpel-Leede Phenomenon. We describe the case of a patient who developed a facial petechial rash following a laparoscopic abdominal hysterectomy in steep Trendelenburg position. We review the physiological effects of laparoscopic surgical techniques and Trendelenburg positioning. These physiological effects lead to cephalad venous compression and are analogous to the venous compression caused by a tourniquet. The circumstances preceding its development and the characteristics of the facial rash lead us to conclude that the patient we present developed facial Rumple-Leede Phenomenon.