Femoral Nerve Lesion in Surgery of the Hip

Abstract

Reports about complications in surgery of the hip generally involve infection and loosening of the prosthesis. Neurologic complications are rare (Table 1), but these complications increase in difficult or repeated revisions (Table 2). In most cases the sciatic nerve is concerned (Griss et al. 1982; Karpf et al. 1976; Lambiris et al. 1981; Rubovszky 1977; Weber et al. 1976). The femoral nerve is endangered by pressure from Hohmann retractors (Fig. 1). While interference with the femoral nerve is not expected using an anterolateral approach to the hip because the nerve is protected by iliopsoas muscle, anatomic conditions may have changed in revision of the arthroplasty. A case of this is described in the present report.