ABSTRACT
Three patients developed solitary unilateral peripheral femoral neuropathy after vaginal hysterectomy. All were operated under subarachnoid analgesia in the lithotomy position. Straight rod leg supports with swing stirrups were used and the procedures lasted for two and one-half hours. The complication is thought due to the extreme abduction of thighs with external rotation at the hip causing ischaemia of the femoral nerve as it is kinked beneath the tough inguinal ligament. The prognosis was found to be excellent with complete recovery within eight to ten weeks. The complication is preventable by using lateral thigh supports limiting the degree of abduction.
Subject(s)
Anesthesia, Spinal/adverse effects , Femoral Nerve , Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/etiology , Postoperative Complications , Posture , Adult , Female , Humans , Hysterectomy, Vaginal , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Twenty five adults and children with fractured shaft of femur were given femoral nerve block for pain relief. The block was found to be useful for purposes of transportation and immobilization. The pain relief was complete if the fracture site was in the middle third of the femoral shaft. The block is easy, safe, economical and most useful in emergency and poor risk patients.
