P102 FEMORAL NERVE PALSY POST OPEN INGUINAL HERNIA REPAIR - CASE REPORT AND LITERATURE REVIEW

Aim and Introduction “Inguinal hernia repair is one of the most common surgical procedures performed worldwide. Postoperative pain control is very important and recently nerve block has gained popularity as an alternative to opioid use. Transient femoral nerve palsy (TNFP) is a potential complication of ilioinguinal nerve block, but it is extremely rare with only a few cases reported. We discuss a case of TNFP post-left inguinal hernia repair to highlight this rare complication.” Material and Methods “Case Report: A 17-year-old male with clinically and radiologically confirmed left inguinal hernia underwent open mesh repair (Lichtenstein repair). At the end of the procedure, he had ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve block (10ml, 0.5% bupivacaine). In the recovery room, he developed numbness of his anteromedial aspect of his left thigh with weakness of hip flexion and paralysis of quadriceps with an inability to extend his knee. He was reviewed by the anaesthetic team and was admitted overnight. His symptoms resolved spontaneously within 18 hours. He was subsequently discharged and followed up in the surgical OPD 2 weeks, 6 weeks and 6 months later and there were no residual neurological symptoms.” Results and Conclusion “TNFP post open hernia repair is very rare. Mechanisms of femoral nerve injury include suturing, stapling, scar tissue entrapment or direct compression. Careful attention is needed to the technique of local anaesthesia post-operatively (avoid deep infiltration, lowest volume and concentration used, ultrasound use) to avoid potential morbidity if this complication is not recognised.”

Nerve transfers for femoral nerve palsy: an updated approach and surgical technique

OBJECTIVE Femoral nerve palsy results in significant impairment of lower extremity function due to the loss of quadriceps muscle function. The authors have previously described their techniques utilizing the anterior obturator and sartorius nerves for transfer in cases of femoral nerve palsy presenting within 1 year of injury. In the current study, the authors discuss their updated techniques, results, and approach to partial and complete femoral nerve palsies using femoral nerve decompression and nerve transfers. METHODS They conducted a retrospective review of patients with femoral nerve palsies treated with their technique at the Washington University School of Medicine in 2008–2019. Primary outcomes were active knee extension Medical Research Council (MRC) grades and visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores. RESULTS Fourteen patients with femoral nerve palsy were treated with femoral nerve decompression and nerve transfer: 4 with end-to-end (ETE) nerve transfers, 6 with supercharged end-to-side (SETS) transfers, and 4 with ETE and SETS transfers, using the anterior branch of the obturator nerve, the sartorius branches, or a combination of both. The median preoperative knee extension MRC grade was 2 (range 0–3). The average preoperative VAS pain score was 5.2 (range 1–9). Postoperatively, all patients attained an MRC grade 4 or greater and subjectively noted improved strength and muscle bulk and more natural gait. The average postoperative pain score was 2.3 (range 0–6), a statistically significant improvement (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Until recently, few treatments were available for high femoral nerve palsy. A treatment strategy involving femoral nerve decompression and nerve transfers allows for meaningful functional recovery and pain relief in cases of partial and total femoral nerve palsy. An algorithm for the management of partial and complete femoral nerve palsies and a detailed description of surgical techniques are presented.

Spontaneous iliacus haematoma with femoral nerve palsy: an appeal to involve surgical teams early

We report the case of a 68-year-old man who was placed on heparin as bridge therapy and subsequently developed an iliacus haematoma with associated femoral nerve palsy. His team involved the orthopaedic surgery team in delayed fashion after his symptom onset. Due to his active medical conditions, he did not undergo surgical decompression of his haematoma until late into his hospital course. Unfortunately, this patient did not regain meaningful function from his femoral nerve deficit. We believe this case highlights the high index of suspicion necessary for making this diagnosis as well as the repercussions of an untimely decompression for this acute, compressive neuropathy. Although we are surgeons and this is a surgical case, we hope to publish this case in a medical journal to raise awareness that surgical decompression does have a role in this diagnosis and should ultimately be pursued early in its course for optimal patient benefit.