[Maternal paralysis of obstetrical origin. Two case reports]. / Paralysie maternelle d'origine obstétricale. A propos de deux cas.

We report two cases of maternal obstetrical paralysis by injuries to the sacral plexus (lumbosacral trunk). This nervous lesion is rare and occurs more often in young small primigravidae, carrying a large fetus, during a prolonged labor and a delivery requiring midforceps. The symptoms appear usually a few hours after delivery: paresthesias of the leg and the foot as well as weakness and possible footdrop (the paralysis may be mild or severe). The different mechanisms involved are inspected. The prognosis of this lesion is good, the patients recover usually within a period of three months. The treatment appears to be physiotherapy.