[Neurologic complication following spinal anesthesia for manual detachment of the placenta].

Long-term paralysis of the lower extremities was observed in a 31-year-old fourth-gravida patient, undergoing a curettage under spinal anaesthesia because of placenta accreta. The patient recovered within three days from her neurological signs and symptoms, consisting of complete paresis of the hip and knee flectors and severe headache. Clinical investigations including a neurological examination, spinal puncture, x-ray pictures of the lumbosacral area and haemograms revealed no evidence for an infection, abscess or haematoma. With regard to the fact, that neurological deficiency disappeared completely within three days, it seems probable, that the symptoms were caused by the longer lasting gynaecological position (Steinschnitt-position) during the period of delivery and curettage thereafter.