Sciatic Neuropathy after Caesarean Section under Epidural Anesthesia: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

ABSTRACT

We report a rare case in which a 35-year-old multiparous healthy woman developed a right sciatic neuropathy after epidural anesthesia and analgesia for caesarean section.She presented with premature rupture of membrane at 37 weeks and 4 days gestation.Epidural anesthesia was done without any paresthesia or pain and there were no special events during operation. Postoperative pain was controlled by fentanyl, ropivacaine and saline through epidural catheter for 2 days.When the epidural catheter was removed, the patient complained of both legs weakness and hypoesthesia.On the 4th day after surgery, she gained normal sensation and motor function of left leg but was still unable to move and sense her right leg without medial side of femur. She dragged her right feet.MRI of the lumbarsacral spine showed no evidence of a lesion in the spinal cord.Electomyographic study (EMG) performed 25 days after surgery showed incomplete right sciatic nerve lesion.She received persistent physical therapies and put a ankle brace.Four months after surgery she had made a recovery but not full yet.