[Bilateral femoral neuropathy after prostatectomy. Case report and bibliographic review].
OBJECTIVE
To report one case of postoperative lateral femoral neuropathy presenting after a retropubic radical prostatectomy. We review the topic.


METHODS
We describe the case of a 72-year-old patient undergoing radical prostatectomy. Combined anesthesia, general and spinal, was given. A self-retaining automatic retractor (Omnitract) was employed. In the immediate postoperative period the patient presented bilateral femoral neuropathy, with difficulties for knees extension and hips flexion, diminished patellar reflex, and absence of sensitivity in the anterior area of the thighs. MRI was performed to rule out spinal pathology.


RESULTS
The symptoms improved a lot within a week, completely recovering after two months.


CONCLUSIONS
Femoral neuropathy is a rare complication after pelvic surgery. In our case we believe it was secondary to nerve compression by the retractor.
Hernández Castrillo
Alberto
A
Servicio de Urología, Hospital Comorcal de Laredo, Cantabria, España. a.h.castrillo@telefonica.net
de Diego Rodríguez
Enrique
E
Rado Velázquez
Miguel Angel
MA
Lanzas Prieto
José Manuel
JM
Galindo Palazuelos
Mónica
M
Terrazas Hontañon
Jesús María
JM
D000368:Aged; D005267:Femoral Nerve / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D011468:Prostatectomy