[Paralysis of the femoral nerve complicating ilio-psoas hemorrhage after iliac bone transplantation (author's transl)].

The author reported an unusual complication of iliac bone transplantation for grafting of a tibial pseudarthrosis. In a patient having anticoagulant therapy, a large iliac haematoma developed in the donor site and extended deep to the iliacus muscle and through the osteomuscular gap into the retroperitoneal space. Moreover it spread downwards and entrapped the femoral nerve as it lies behind the iliac fascia, above the inguinal ligament. Both a paralytic ileus and a femoral nerve injury commanded surgical exploration through an oblique iliac approach; emptying of the clotted haematoma, section of the inguinal ligament and liberation of the femoral nerve enable to avoid definitive sequelae to the quadriceps but the time required is varying: three years after the accident, recovery is not complete in the operated patient probably owing to delayed surgery (three weeks).