Obturator neuropathy after laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy.

A case of obturator nerve injury with delayed manifestation following laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy is presented. While the incidence of obturator nerve injury does not appear to differ between open surgical and laparoscopic approaches, the laparoscopic approach demands unequivocal visualization of the nerve when utilizing electrocautery because of the risk of nerve injury from thermal conduction through apposed tissues.