title: Functional recovery of severe obturator and femoral nerve injuries after lateral retroperitoneal transpsoas surgery.
abstract: The minimally invasive lateral retroperitoneal transpsoas approach is a popular fusion technique. However, potential complications include injury to the lumbar plexus nerves, bowel, and vasculature, the most common of which are injuries to the lumbar plexus. The femoral nerve is particularly vulnerable because of its size and location; injury to the femoral nerve has significant clinical implications because of its extensive sensory and motor innervation of the lower extremities. The authors present an interesting case of a 49-year-old male patient in whom femoral and obturator nerve functional recovery unexpectedly occurred 364 days after the nerves had been injured during lateral retroperitoneal transpsoas surgery. Chronological video and electrodiagnostic findings demonstrate evidence of recovery. Classification and mechanisms of nerve injury and nerve regeneration are discussed.
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA.
authors: Amir
authors: A
authors: Ahmadian
authors: Naomi
authors: N
authors: Abel
authors: Juan S
authors: JS
authors: Uribe
mesh_terms: D005267:Femoral Nerve / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D009776:Obturator Nerve / Q000293:injuries*; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016658:Psoas Muscles / Q000601:surgery; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D012187:Retroperitoneal Space / Q000601:surgery; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors