[Perioperative lesions in lower extremity peripheral nerves].

OBJECTIVE

To review the actual concepts concerning perioperative nerve injuries during surgical or anesthetic procedures.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

A summary of published medical literature from Medline search files and published reviews. CONFLICT IF INTEREST: We have not conflicts of interest.

RESULTS

Perioperative nerve injuries during surgical and anesthetic procedures of the lower extremities are the most common. Many possible etiologies have been proposed to explain perioperative nerve injury and include stretch, compression, and ischemia. Commonly this injuries are under recognition and an important aspect of perioperative nerve injuries is that they can occur for multiple reasons. It is necessary to have a good communication among surgeons, neurologists and clinical neurophysiologists, so it can lead to a more detailed neurological assessment with transoperative procedures that may prevent such injuries.