SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Compression neuropathy of the femoral nerve has been reported as an uncommon complication of bleeding into the iliopsoas muscle. OBJECTIVE: The authors detected anatomic reasons of direct injury to the femoral nerve at the lower lumbar level. METHODS: Keeping the hip in extension during the course of carrying out anterior fusion on a previously failed posterior fusion was considered another causative factor of femoral nerve injury. Anatomical dissection confirmed the likelihood of this injury being produced in this situation. RESULTS: Femoral nerve traction and compression can occur after prolonged compression of the nerve within the psoas muscle stretched between an immobile lower lumbar spine and the lesser trochanter when the hip is kept in extension. In the patients described no other reasons for direct or indirect injury were identified. CONCLUSION: Although uncommon, the complication should be kept in mind. It can be avoided by intraoperative hip flexion.
SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Compression neuropathy of the femoral nerve has been reported as an uncommon complication of bleeding into the iliopsoas muscle. OBJECTIVE: The authors detected anatomic reasons of direct injury to the femoral nerve at the lower lumbar level. METHODS: Keeping the hip in extension during the course of carrying out anterior fusion on a previously failed posterior fusion was considered another causative factor of femoral nerve injury. Anatomical dissection confirmed the likelihood of this injury being produced in this situation. RESULTS: Femoral nerve traction and compression can occur after prolonged compression of the nerve within the psoas muscle stretched between an immobile lower lumbar spine and the lesser trochanter when the hip is kept in extension. In the patients described no other reasons for direct or indirect injury were identified. CONCLUSION: Although uncommon, the complication should be kept in mind. It can be avoided by intraoperative hip flexion.
Authors: Swetha Naroji; Laurence J Belin; Mitchell Gil Maltenfort; Alexander R Vaccaro; Daniel Schwartz; James S Harrop; Michael Weinstein Journal: J Spinal Cord Med Date: 2009 Impact factor: 1.985
Authors: Jennifer Kargel; Vanessa Dimas; Wayne Tanaka; O Bailey Robertson; J Michael M Coy; Jack Gotcher; Peter Chang Journal: Can J Plast Surg Date: 2006