Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies and anaesthesia: peri-operative nerve injury.

A 43-year-old female with carcinoma of the left breast underwent wide local excision of the tumour and sentinel lymph node biopsy under general anaesthesia. Three lymph nodes were removed uneventfully during the operation. Postoperatively, the patient complained of weakness and decreased sensation of her left arm. A diagnosis of peri-operative neuropraxia was made. This resolved completely over the following 4 weeks. Genetic testing confirmed a diagnosis of hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies.