[Postpartum footdrop].

We report on a rare peripartal neuropathy of the leg caused by prolonged difficult labour. Immediately after delivery two patients complained of unilateral footdrop and numbness in the leg. The footdrop was most probably due to compression of the lumbosacral trunk exposed to the foetal head. This trunk contains fibres from lumbar roots L4 and L5 and connects the lumbar with the sacral plexus. The outcome was favourable in both patients. If subsequent pregnancies occur, caesarean section may be indicated.