Femoral neuropathy after pelvic surgery

Postoperative femoral neuropathy is an uncommon complication occurring after pelvic surgery. Inappropriate stretching and prolonged compression of the nerve are 2 major mechanisms of the neuropathy. Here we report 2 cases of femoral neuropathy immediately following pelvic surgery. Both cases had neither previous vascular nor peripheral nerve disease. They suffered from weakness of left hip flexion and knee extension and sensory impairment over the left lower limb after surgery. Electromyography and nerve conduction studies confirmed left femoral neuropathy. Both of the patients received physical therapy and had nearly total neurological recovery within 3 months. We report this unusual complication that followed major pelvic surgery and also review the literature and discuss the possible etiology for prevention of this injury.