Pelvic nerve injury following gynecologic surgery: a prospective cohort study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and time course of postoperative neuropathy resulting from gynecologic surgery.


METHODS
A single cohort of 616 female patients undergoing elective gynecologic surgery for benign or malignant conditions at a tertiary care academic medical center underwent a postoperative neurologic evaluation to identify postoperative neuropathy of the lower extremities.


RESULTS
Fourteen peripheral nerve injuries were observed in 11 patients, making the overall incidence of postoperative neuropathy 1.8% (95% confidence interval, 1.0-3.2). Injury to the lateral femoral cutaneous (5), femoral (5), common fibular (1), ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric (1), saphenous (1), and genitofemoral (1) nerves were detected. Complete resolution of neuropathic symptoms occurred in all but 1 patient (91%). Median time to resolution of symptoms was 31.5 days (range, 1 day to 6 months).


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of lower extremity neuropathy attributable to gynecologic operations is low, and these neuropathies resolve in the great majority of cases.
Bohrer
Justin C
JC
Women's Health Institute of the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
Walters
Mark D
MD
Park
Amy
A
Polston
David
D
Barber
Matthew D
MD
D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008875:Middle Aged; D010388:Pelvis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020196:Trauma, Nervous System / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*