Litigation and Community Advocacy to Ensure Health Access for Micronesian Migrants in Hawai'i.

The Federated States of Micronesia and the Republics of Palau and the Marshall Islands signed a series of treaties known as the Compacts of Free Association (COFA) with the United States (U.S.). While the islands became independent nations, certain rights and responsibilities were assigned to the U.S. However since the signing of the treaties, U.S. federal and Hawai'i state policies have reduced health care coverage for COFA migrants living in the U.S. and its territories. This commentary reports the ongoing efforts of the Micronesian community and its allies to rectify a legacy of unjust policies. We outline the need for sound policies that support appropriate health care to all members of society, and highlight the community's strength and ability to mobilize for political action. If health is a human right, providing adequate, equitable health care to all members of society is not up for debate.

Femoral nerve palsy as a complication of anterior iliac crest bone harvest: Report of two cases and review of the literature.

There are many documented neurological complications of anterior iliac crest bone harvest. Until now, these have included injuries to the iliohypogastric, subcostal and lateral femoral cutaneous nerves. Femoral nerve palsy as a direct surgical complication of anterior iliac crest bone harvest has never been cited in any surgical literature, although it has been reported in deep pelvic and abdominal surgeries in which improper retraction and/or prolonged hyperextension of the hip may have caused a nerve compression syndrome. In addition, surgical patients on antithrombolytic therapy have experienced hemorrhage within the iliacus and iliopsoas muscles, resulting in hematoma and secondary femoral nerve compression. The classic motor and sensory deficits reported in femoral nerve palsies are reduced or absent patellar reflex, weak hip flexion, quadriceps muscle weakness, and anesthesia of the anterior thigh and medial aspect of the leg. Two cases of femoral nerve palsy with different etiologies are presented.