A review of perioperative nerve injury to the lower extremities: part I.

Perioperative nerve injuries can be a complication of surgical procedures and account for a significant number of anesthesia-related claims in the United States. Whereas ulnar neuropathy at the elbow is the most common, other nerve injuries of the upper extremity and injuries to the lower extremities are not rare occurrences. A number of possible etiologies have been proposed to explain perioperative nerve injury to include stretch, compression, ischemia, and direct trauma from agents such as suture and cement material. An important aspect of perioperative nerve injury is the underrecognition (or underreporting) that can occur for a multitude of reasons. Good collaboration between surgeons and neurologists can lead to more detailed neurologic assessments and well-timed electrodiagnostic studies, ultimately improving our understanding of such unfortunate incidents.