title: Sciatic nerve injury during gynecologic procedures using the lithotomy position.
abstract: Injury to the sciatic nerve is an infrequent but important complication of gynecologic procedures in which the lithotomy position is used. This lesion may occur after vaginal hysterectomy or after short procedures such as dilatation and curettage or laparoscopy. Few reports are found in the gynecologic literature. The authors report sciatic nerve injuries in 2 young women, one at the time of a diagnostic laparoscopy and the other during an exploratory laparotomy in which the lithotomy position was used for the purpose of tubal dye study using a Cohen cannula. Each recovered, which is consistent with previous reports. A review of the literature and possible etiologic factors is presented.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D011187:Posture; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000293:injuries*