Iatrogenic nerve injuries

• Published in: Neurosurgery clinics of North America Vol. 20; no. 1; p. 73
• Main Authors: Kretschmer, Thomas, Heinen, Christian W, Antoniadis, Gregor, Richter, Hans-Peter, König, Ralph W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.01.2009
• Subjects: Humans; Iatrogenic Disease - prevention & control; Injections - adverse effects; Neurosurgical Procedures - adverse effects; Peripheral Nerve Injuries; Peripheral Nerves - pathology; Peripheral Nerves - physiopathology; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases - etiology; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases - physiopathology; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases - prevention & control; Postoperative Complications - etiology; Postoperative Complications - physiopathology; Postoperative Complications - prevention & control; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures - methods; Tourniquets - adverse effects; Traction - adverse effects
• ISSN: 1558-1349
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nec.2008.07.025

As long as humans have been medically treated, unfortunate cases of inadvertent injury to nerves afflicted by the therapist have occurred. Most microsurgically treated iatrogenic nerve injuries occur directly during an operation. Certain nerves are at a higher risk than others, and certain procedures and regions of the body are more prone to sustaining nerve injury. A high degree of insecurity regarding the proper measures to take can be observed among medical practitioners. A major limiting factor in successful treatment is delayed referral for evaluation and reconstructive surgery. This article on iatrogenic nerve injuries intends to focus on relevant aspects of management from a nerve surgeon's perspective.