title: Iatrogenic nerve injuries.
abstract: As long as humans have been medically treated, unfortunate cases of inadvertent injury to nerves afflicted by the therapist have occurred. Most microsurgically treated iatrogenic nerve injuries occur directly during an operation. Certain nerves are at a higher risk than others, and certain procedures and regions of the body are more prone to sustaining nerve injury. A high degree of insecurity regarding the proper measures to take can be observed among medical practitioners. A major limiting factor in successful treatment is delayed referral for evaluation and reconstructive surgery. This article on iatrogenic nerve injuries intends to focus on relevant aspects of management from a nerve surgeon's perspective.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Ulm/BKH Günzburg, Günzburg, Germany. thomas.kretschmer@uni-ulm.de
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kretschmer
authors.forename: Christian W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Heinen
authors.forename: Gregor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Antoniadis
authors.forename: Hans-Peter
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: Ralph W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: König
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007267:Injections / Q000009:adverse effects; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D014111:Tourniquets / Q000009:adverse effects; D014143:Traction / Q000009:adverse effects