title: Posterior thigh abscess as a complication of continuous popliteal nerve catheter.
abstract: Continuous peripheral nerve catheters (CPNCs) have become increasingly popular for postoperative analgesia in orthopedic surgery involving the lower limbs. The CPNC technique has been found to reduce postoperative pain and facilitate earlier discharge and recovery. Until recently, potential infectious complications associated with CPNCs have remained largely unreported. In this report, we present the case of a posterior thigh abscess that developed after placement of a continuous popliteal nerve catheter and required surgical débridement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD 20889, USA. ctucker20@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Tucker
authors.forename: Kevin L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Kirk
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Ficke
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003646:Debridement; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008297:Male; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008889:Military Personnel; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000379:methods; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D018461:Soft Tissue Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D013848:Thigh / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome