An Unusual Postoperative Neuropathy: Foot Drop Contralateral to the Lateral Decubitus Position

Postoperative neuropathy is often related to surgical positioning or improper padding during surgery. However, other causes should be considered, particularly when the deficit does not correlate with a positioning error. A case is presented of a 15-year-old girl who experienced postoperative foot drop contralateral to the lateral decubitus position. Further evaluation led to a clinical diagnosis of hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies that predisposed the patient to the injury. Anesthesiologists should suspect hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies in patients presenting for multiple nerve decompression surgeries and be vigilant in the perioperative handling of these susceptible individuals.