[Iatrogenic nerve injuries. Part 1: Frequency distribution, new aspects, and timing of microsurgical treatment].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to analyze the number and types of iatrogenic nerve injuries operated on during a 13-year period at a relatively busy nerve center.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis was done of 191 cases surgically treated because of iatrogenic nerve injuries.


RESULTS
Most iatrogenic nerve injuries occurred after surgical procedures. As a rule, symptoms and signs appeared immediately after the procedure. Single nerves most often involved were the spinal accessory nerve at the neck ( n=27), most frequently after lymph node biopsy, and the median nerve in the carpal tunnel ( n=25), usually after carpal tunnel release and most frequently after endoscopic technique. Following in frequency are the common peroneal nerve ( n=16), superficial sensory radial nerve ( n=13), genitofemoral ( n=12), and superficial peroneal and tibial nerves ( n=9 each). Clinical improvement after neurosurgical intervention appeared in 70% of cases. Frequently iatrogenic nerve lesions are referred with significant delay, that is, not during a time interval deemed appropriate for surgical intervention.


CONCLUSIONS
Iatrogenic nerve lesions must be recognized in a timely manner and should be operated upon as early as other traumatic nerve injuries to ensure best chances for successful recovery.
Kretschmer
T
T
Neurochirurgische Klinik der Universität Ulm am BKH Günzburg, Günzburg. kretschmerthomas@hotmail.com
Antoniadis
G
G
Börm
W
W
Richter
H-P
HP
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D008866:Microsurgery; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000601:surgery*; D011379:Prognosis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors