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Bilateral obturator nerve injuries during urologic surgery.
1Department of Physical Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210.
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Prolonged hip flexion during surgery can cause obturator nerve injury. This case study shows that prompt management, including steroids and physical therapy, can resolve symptoms of this nerve compromise.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Surgical Complications
- Anatomy
Background:
- Obturator nerve injury is a potential complication of prolonged hip flexion.
- Understanding the anatomical pathway of the obturator nerve is crucial for diagnosis.
Observation:
- A patient developed bilateral obturator nerve compromise following extended urologic surgery.
- Clinical presentation and electromyography (EMG) findings confirmed the nerve injury.
Findings:
- The injury was attributed to nerve stretching at the bony obturator foramen.
- Treatment with steroids, gait training, and avoidance of acute hip flexion led to full recovery.
- Resolution of clinical and EMG abnormalities was observed.
Implications:
- Awareness of this surgical complication is important for clinicians.
- Accurate diagnosis can be facilitated by understanding pelvic anatomy and potential nerve entrapment.
- Preventive measures, such as careful patient positioning, may reduce the incidence of such injuries.