Iatrogenic Peripheral Nerve Injuries Research Articles

Occurrence and treatment of peripheral nerve injuries after cosmetic surgeries.

Although non-invasive and minimally invasive aesthetic procedures increasingly dominate the cosmetic market, traditional plastic surgery remains the most effective improvement method. One of the most common complications in plastic surgery, peripheral nerve injuries, though has a low incidence but intrigued plastic surgeons globally. In this article, a narrative review was conducted using several databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science) to identify peripheral nerve injuries following cosmetic surgeries such as blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, rhytidectomy, breast surgeries, and abdominoplasty. Surgery-related nerve injuries were discussed, respectively. Despite the low incidence, cosmetic plastic surgeries can cause iatrogenic peripheral nerve injuries that require special attention. The postoperative algorithm approaches can be effective, but the waiting and treatment processes can be long and painful. Preventive measures are undoubtedly more effective than postoperative remedies. The best means of preventing disease is having a good understanding of anatomy and conducting a careful dissection.

Iatrogenic peripheral nerve injury: a guide to management for the orthopaedic limb surgeon.

Nerves may be inadvertently injured during trauma surgery due to distorted anatomy, traction applied to a limb, soft tissue retraction, by power tools, instrumentation and from compartment syndrome. Elective orthopaedic surgery has additional risks of joint dislocation for arthroplasty surgery, limb lengthening, thermal injury from cement and direct injury from peripheral nerve blocks.The true incidence is unknown, and many cases are diagnosed as neurapraxia with the expectation of a full and timely recovery without the need for intervention. The incorrect assignation of a neurapraxia diagnosis may delay treatment for a higher grade of injury and in addition fails to recognize that a diagnosis of neurapraxia should be made with caution and a commitment to regular clinical review. Untreated, a neurapraxia can deteriorate and result in axonopathy. The failure to promptly diagnose such a nerve injury and instigate treatment may result in further deterioration and expose the clinician to medicolegal challenge.The focus of this review is to raise awareness of iatrogenic peripheral nerve injuries in orthopaedic limb surgery, the importance of regular clinical examination, the role of investigations, timing and nature of interventions and also to provide a guide to when onward referral to a specialist peripheral nerve injury unit is recommended. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2021;6:607-617. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.200123

Nerve Ultrasound in Traumatic and Iatrogenic Peripheral Nerve Injury.

Peripheral nerve injury is a potentially debilitating disorder that occurs in an estimated 2–3% of all patients with major trauma, in a similar percentage of medical procedures. The workup of these injuries has traditionally been clinical, combined with electrodiagnostic testing. However, this has limitations, especially in the acute phase of the trauma or lack of any recovery, when it is very important to determine nerve continuity and perform surgical exploration and repair in the case of the complete transection or intraneural fibrosis. Ultrasound can help in those situations. It is a versatile imaging technique with a high sensitivity of 93% for detecting focal nerve lesions. Ultrasound can assess the structural integrity of the nerve, neuroma formation and other surrounding abnormalities of bone or foreign bodies impeding the nerve. In addition, this can help to prevent iatrogenic nerve injury by marking the nerve before the procedure. This narrative review gives an overview of why and how nerve ultrasound can play a role in the detection, management and prevention of peripheral nerve injury.

Iatrogenic peripheral nerve injuries – Common causes and treatment: A retrospective single-center cohort study

BackgroundIatrogenic nerve injuries can result from surgical damage. Thus, physicians should be aware of the risk factors and procedures that need to be followed in such patients. The purpose of this study was to examine data pertaining to patients with known iatrogenic nerve injuries and to elucidate the detailed causes of these injuries, the affected nerves, and the type of surgical procedures for treatment. MethodsThis retrospective study included 232 consecutive patients who underwent surgical treatment for peripheral nerve palsy or nerve injury between 2006 and 2017 at our hospital. Among the 232 patients investigated, we identified 51 cases with iatrogenic nerve injuries (23 women and 28 men; mean age, 51.3 years). Among the 51 patients, 45 were referred from other hospitals, and the remaining were from our hospital. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics. ResultsDirect surgical damage occurred in 94% (48/51) of patients with iatrogenic nerve injuries. Such injuries mostly developed after surgery for bone fractures (33%), resection of soft tissue tumors (22%), and carpal tunnel release procedures (20%). The nerves most commonly affected in such procedures are the radial nerve (26%), median nerve (24%), and ulnar nerve (17%). The median interval of referral to our hospital after nerve injury was 5.1 months. The median interval of surgery to correct the injury was 7 months. Surgeries to correct iatrogenic nerve injuries performed at our hospital included neurolysis (55%), nerve grafts (29%), direct suture procedures (10%), and tendon transfers (6%). ConclusionsWe believe that wide dissemination of the results obtained in this study will reduce the incidence of iatrogenic peripheral nerve injuries and increase the speed of referrals to specialized centers.

A New Classification of Iatrogenic Peripheral Nerve Injuries

Iatrogenic causes of nerve injuries make up to 17.4% of all traumatic peripheral nerve injuries. Despite significant medicolegal implications, there is no accepted classification system. In this article we propose a new classification system for iatrogenic peripheral nerve injuries: 1) Injury to the nerve when the nerve was not the target of the treatment; 2) Injury to the nerve when the nerve was targeted for intervention but not repair; 3) Injury to the nerve when the nerve was targeted for harvest or repair of another nerve.

Management of Iatrogenic Nerve Injuries.

Iatrogenic peripheral nerve injuries from orthopaedic surgery can occur via many scenarios, including direct injury to the nerve during surgery, indirect injury via retraction or compartment syndrome, and injury from nonsurgical treatments such as injections and splinting. Successful management of iatrogenic nerve injuries requires an accurate diagnosis and timely, appropriate treatment. All orthopaedic surgeons must understand the preclinical study of nerve injury and the evaluation and treatment options for iatrogenic nerve injuries. Although a sharply transected nerve can be repaired immediately in the operating room under direct visualization, many injuries are not appreciated until the postoperative period. Advances in diagnostic studies and nerve repair techniques, nerve grafting, and nerve transfers have improved our ability to identify and treat such injuries.

Iatrogenic peripheral nerve injuries

Iatrogenic peripheral nerve injury is a considerable social and economic concern and the majority of cases are preventable. Complications should be referred to, and dealt with promptly by experienced surgeons, to ensure the best chances for an optimal functional recovery. Their prevention should be emphasized. Their management should include ensuring an early diagnosis, administering an appropriate treatment with rehabilitation, rendering psychological support and providing control of pain. We will address the aetiology, predisposing factors, diagnostic approaches, and management strategies to reduce the incidence of iatrogenic peripheral nerve injuries.

Injection-related iatrogenic peripheral nerve injuries: Surgical experience of 354 operated cases.

A retrospective analysis of surgically treated 354 cases of injection-related iatrogenic peripheral nerve injuries was performed. The purpose of this clinical study was to present our experience in the management of various types of injection-related peripheral nerve injuries and discuss various issues that are associated with this subset of peripheral nerve injuries. Over a 17-year period, 354 cases of injection-related iatrogenic peripheral nerve injuries were managed surgically at the Department of Neurosurgery at P.D. Hinduja Hospital and Seth G S Medical College, Mumbai. In our series, the injection-related iatrogenic nerve injuries were following intramuscular injections, brachial nerves block procedures, subclavian and jugular venous cannulation procedures for central line placements, and routine intravenous injections in the peripheral veins of the limbs. The age of the patients ranged from 5 years to 65 years. Pain, paresthesia, and sensory-motor deficits were the common presenting features in our series. The operative procedures performed in our series were external neurolysis and excision of neuroma/contused portion of the nerve and sural nerve cable grafting. The follow-up ranged from 6 months to 84 months. There were no major intraoperative complications in our series. In our series, functional improvement (power grade 3 or above) was noted in 190 (53.7%) patients following surgical intervention. In 164 (46.3%) patients, there was either a non-functional status or no recovery. Neurological deterioration in the form of motor weakness was noted in 9 (2.5%) patients in our series after the surgery. The best results (90.1%) were noted with radial nerve repair following surgical intervention. Injection-related iatrogenic nerve injuries are not an uncommon problem. Surgery should be the preferred treatment option when the injured nerve fails to recover following the insult. The results are rewarding in a significant percentage of patients following timely intervention. The problem of litigation attached with this type of injury is also highlighted.

Management protocol in the case of iatrogenic peripheral nerve injuries.

Management protocol in the case of iatrogenic peripheral nerve injuries.

Medico-legal aspects of peripheral nerve injury

Iatrogenic nerve injuries are always a matter for concern. This article will address the common causes, diagnosis and management of iatrogenic peripheral nerve injuries. The most widely used classification of peripheral nerve injury is that described by Seddon in 1943.1 He divided nerve injuries into three types: neurapraxia, axonotmesis and neurotmesis. Neurapraxia (inactivity of the nerve) is a non-degenerative lesion of a nerve characterised by a complete or partial failure to propagate an action, potentially resulting in motor and/or sensory loss. It is usually caused by compression or ischaemia, resulting in ischaemia of the myelin sheath. The nerve remains intact and Wallerian degeneration does not occur. It is reversible if the injurious agent is removed. If the distal segment of the nerve is stimulated, there is a motor response. The lesion recovers by remyelination of the distal segment and takes between two and 12 weeks, depending on the age of the patient and the site of the injury. In practice, it is unwise to assume that a lesion is a neurapraxia rather than a more severe injury because this will lead to delay in diagnosis and a poorer outcome. The presence of persistent pain suggests that the injurious agent is continuing to act. The diagnosis should not be made in the presence of a strong Tinel test which indicates that axons have been ruptured. An axonotmesis (cutting of the axon) is the result of disruption of the axon and its myelin sheath. The supporting structures, Schwann cells, endoneurium, perineurium and epineurium remain intact. It is usually the result of severe compression or a crush injury. Wallerian degeneration occurs distally, and proximally to the closest node of Ranvier. Repair is by a combination of collateral sprouting in lesser injuries and axonal regeneration in more severe injuries. The latter occurs at …

Median Nerve Palsies due to Injections: A Review.

Injection nerve palsy (INP) in the median nerve is an iatrogenic peripheral nerve injury that can be inflicted by a faulty intramuscular injection in the median nerve area. The literature reports a 2% incidence of INP among all peripheral nerve injuries. The incidence of INP in developed countries has decreased significantly during the past decade, but the injury appears to remain prevalent in developing countries. A deep understanding of the anatomy of the peripheral nerves, and a precise intramuscular injection technique, have been shown to be vital for preventing INP in the median nerve. Debates continue regarding what, if any, intervention is necessary for injection palsies; and if it is needed, when it should be carried out. In this article, we will review the literature related to median injection nerve palsy and recommended methods of prevention.

Iatrogenic Peripheral Nerve Injuries-Surgical Treatment and Outcome: 10 Years' Experience.

Iatrogenic nerve injuries are nerve injuries caused by medical interventions or inflicted accidentally by a treating physician. We describe and analyze iatrogenic nerve injuries in a total of 122 consecutive patients who received surgical treatment at our Institution during a period of 10 years, from January 1, 2003, to December 31, 2013. The final outcome evaluation was performed 2 years after surgical treatment. The most common causes of iatrogenic nerve injuries among patients in the study were the operations of bone fractures (23.9%), lymph node biopsy (19.7%), and carpal tunnel release (18%). The most affected nerves were median nerve (21.3%), accessory nerve (18%), radial nerve (15.6%), and peroneal nerve (11.5%). In 74 (60.7%) patients, surgery was performed 6 months after the injury, and in 48 (39.3%) surgery was performed within 6 months after the injury. In 80 (65.6%) patients, we found lesion in discontinuity, and in 42 (34.4%) patients lesion in continuity. The distribution of surgical procedures performed was as follows: autotransplantation (51.6%), neurolysis (23.8%), nerve transfer (13.9%), direct suture (8.2%), and resection of neuroma (2.5%). In total, we achieved satisfactory recovery in 91 (74.6%), whereas the result was dissatisfactory in 31 (25.4%) patients. Patients with iatrogenic nerve injuries should be examined as soon as possible by experts with experience in traumatic nerve injuries, so that the correct diagnosis can be reached and the appropriate therapy planned. The timing of reconstructive surgery and the technique used are the crucial factors for functional recovery.

Iatrogenic peripheral nerve injuries caused by orthopaedic surgery

Iatrogenic peripheral nerve injuries caused by orthopaedic surgery

Clinical treatment of iatrogenic peripheral nerve injury

Objective To retrospectively analyze the clinical outcome of patients with iatrogenic peripheral nerve injury so as to summarize the experiences and lessons. Methods A retrospective study was performed on 72 patients with iatrogenic peripheral nerve injury treated in our hospital from 2004 to 2010.Therapy methods included conservative treatment in 24 patients,surgical release in 21 and nerve anastomosis in 27. Results All the patients were followed up for average 10 months ( range,3-24months).The neurological recovery was excellent in 24 patients,good in 21,fair in 16 and poor in 11,with excellent rate of 64％,according to the trial standard of upper limb functional assessment established by Chinese Medical Society of Hand Surgery. Conclusions Risk awareness should be strengthened on the iatrogenic peripheral nerve injury,especially the minimally invasive treatment of fractures in recent years,which has increased the risk of nerve injury.For patients who may be presented with iatrogenic injury,we should develop a detailed preoperative surgical plan for early one stage treatment as possible. Key words: Peripheral nerves; Combined modality therapy; Iatrogenic injuries

Utilisation of Ultrasound in the Detection and Assessment of Iatrogenic Peripheral Nerve Injury

Iatrogenic peripheral nerve injury (PNI) occurs in 1 to 3% of all surgeries and accounts to 17% percent of all peripheral nerve injuries. Frequently, delayed diagnosis leads to severe disability or chronic, poorly treatable pain. It was the aim of this retrospective study to characterize typical ultrasound (US) imaging features of PNI on commonly affected nerves.

Iatrogenic Brachial Plexopathy due to Improper Positioning during Radiofrequency Ablation

Iatrogenic peripheral nerve injuries are a common source of postprocedural morbidity. The authors present a case report of a patient who developed brachial plexopathy from positioning during radiofrequency ablation of a renal mass. Though incidence data on the majority of iatrogenic peripheral nerve injury is scarce, there is more concrete data on iatrogenic brachial plexopathy. The incidence of brachial plexopathies is ~0.2% of all patients who receive general anesthesia, with between 7 and 10% of brachial plexopathies being iatrogenic in nature. The mechanism of injury in the majority of cases is due to stretching or compression of the nerve tissue. Treatment is largely supportive. Prevention is key in minimizing this form of patient morbidity. It is the operator's responsibility to mitigate this risk by employing proper positioning techniques and communicating closely with the anesthesia staff when applicable.

Sciatic Nerve Localization Relative to the Position of the Hip, An Anatomical Study

The incidence of iatrogenic peripheral nerve injury during hip arthroplasty procedures has been reported to be between 0.6 and 1.3 percent. The relative risk of nerve palsy is higher in certain groups of patients such as women, patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip, and those who have undergone revision arthroplasty. In this study, the dynamic relationship between the acetabulum and the sciatic nerve, which is important for preventing sciatic nerve palsy during the hip surgery, was investigated. The sciatic nerve was exposed in 69 cadaveric hips. The relationship between the bony acetabulum and the sciatic nerve was examined in three different positions; as the ipsilateral hip was flexed; extended; or in neutral position. We found that the middle part of the posterior acetabular rim was closer to the sciatic nerve than its superior or inferior parts. The sciatic nerve was perilous when the ipsilateral hip was flexed and the middle part of the posterior acetabular rim was more risky than the superior or inferior parts, in terms of iatrogenic sciatic nerve injury.

Iatrogenic upper limb nerve injuries: a systematic review

Peripheral nerve injuries are among the most frequent iatrogenic complications and are responsible for considerable morbidity and litigation. Most occur within surgical settings and upper limb nerves are most frequently involved. A systematic review of major iatrogenic upper limb nerve injuries was undertaken to evaluate the contemporary spectrum of such injuries. The electronic databases MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar were searched for relevant articles listed between January 2000 and May 2010. Iatrogenic injuries to the brachial plexus, radial, axillary, ulnar, median, musculocutaneous and major cutaneous nerves were analysed, focusing on context, mechanisms of injury and incidence. Iatrogenic upper limb nerve injuries are relatively common and can affect patients in any surgical specialty. Even patients undergoing diagnostic procedures under general anaesthesia are at risk. Orthopaedic surgery and plastic and reconstructive surgery figure prominently in these complications. The spectrum of iatrogenic peripheral nerve injuries has changed in parallel with technological advances in surgery, anaesthesia and medicine. Some iatrogenic upper limb peripheral nerve injuries may be unavoidable, but most cases are probably preventable by an adequate knowledge of surgical anatomy and an awareness of the types of procedures in which peripheral nerves are particularly vulnerable.

Ultrasonographic Evaluation of the Iatrogenic Peripheral Nerve Injuries in Upper Extremity

Ultrasound Quarterly: June 2009 - Volume 25 - Issue 2 - p 80 doi: 10.1097/01.ruq.0000354471.40168.e5

Iatrogenic peripheral nerve injuries caused by surgery in snapping finger

Iatrogenic peripheral nerve injuries caused by surgery in snapping finger