Sciatic nerve palsy--a complication of posterior approach using enhanced soft tissue repair for total hip arthroplasty.

Abstract

Sciatic nerve palsy is a rare but well recognised complication of total hip replacement. There are a variety of potential causes of sciatic nerve palsy and its prevalence with different approaches has been mentioned in the literature.(1-5) The posterolateral or 'Southern' approach with some form of enhanced soft tissue repair is a commonly used approach for primary total hip arthroplasty. However, the sciatic nerve is recognised to be in close proximity to the surgical field. We report a case of sciatic nerve palsy after this approach as a result of a surgical suture used for soft tissue repair.

• Authors: Parkash Lohana, David J Woodnutt, Dean E Boyce
• Journal: Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS (J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg) Vol. 63 Issue 4 Pg. e400-1 (Apr 2010) ISSN: 1878-0539 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 19944660 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright 2009 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Aged
• Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip (adverse effects)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Osteoarthritis, Hip (surgery)
• Patient Satisfaction
• Postoperative Care (adverse effects)
• Plastic Surgery Procedures (methods)
• Reoperation
• Sciatic Neuropathy (etiology, surgery)
• Surgical Wound Dehiscence (complications, surgery)
• Suture Techniques (adverse effects)