[Iatrogen femoral nerve lesions]

Abstract

Purpose: With the increasing number of orthopaedic and gynaecologic operations also the number of iatrogenic nerve lesions has increased. The femoral nerve is especially at risk because of its anatomic course. In this study we take a look at the most frequent causes of iatrogenic femoral nerve lesions, their therapy and prevention.

Method and clinical material: From January 2000 to June 2008 13 patients (10 f, 3 m) with iatrogenic femoral nerve injuries underwent surgery. 7 (53.9 %) of the lesions were caused by the implantation of a hip prothesis, 2 (15.4 %) by the resection of a tumour and one each by an abdominal hysterectomy, spinal surgery, femoral block and by wearing a corsette because of scoliosis for more than one year. In femoral nerve lesions neurolysis was performed in 12 cases (92.3 %) and nerve transplantation in 1 case (7.7 %).

Results: Surgery results were excellent (M4, S4) to fair (M3, S2). The most important factor for a good result was the time period between injury and surgery.

Conclusion: Femoral nerve lesions have a good prognosis if they are diagnosed in time and treated surgically when there are no signs of spontaneous recovery.