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Published on: March 16, 2022
Nerve injury in lower limb vascular surgery
M R Moawad1, Y A Masannat, A Alhamdani
1Department of Vascular Surgery, Morriston Hospital, Swansea SA6 6NL.
Summary
Lower limb arterial surgery frequently causes sensory nerve damage, with over 66% of patients experiencing deficits. Long saphenous vein harvesting significantly increases this risk, highlighting the need for informed consent.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Neurology
- Surgical Complications
Background:
- Nerve injury is a common complication of varicose vein surgery and a frequent cause for litigation.
- The incidence of nerve injury following lower limb arterial surgery is not well documented.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of nerve injury after lower limb arterial surgery.
- To investigate the relationship between nerve injury and vein harvesting or re-operative procedures.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 44 patients (66 operated legs) who underwent lower limb arterial reconstruction.
- Neurological assessment of the lower limbs was performed on participants.
Main Results:
- 66.7% of operated limbs showed objective evidence of sensory deficit; no motor deficits were observed.
- Long saphenous vein harvesting significantly increased the rate of nerve injury.
- Below-knee incisions were associated with a higher incidence of nerve injury compared to other approaches.
Conclusions:
- Sensory nerve damage is highly prevalent after lower limb arterial surgery.
- Accurate data on post-operative nerve damage incidence is crucial for appropriate patient counseling and informed consent.
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