Common peroneal nerve palsy associated with pelvic surgery for cancer. An analysis of 11 cases.

Eleven occurrences of common peroneal palsies following pelvic surgery for malignant conditions are reported. The patients' clinical course and possible mechanisms of nerve injury were reviewed. It was concluded that the current belief that all peripheral neuropathies occurring under general anesthesia are preventable may not be applicable to patients with pelvic cancer who must undergo tedious, lengthy, meticulous, extirpative surgery in the dorsal lithotomy position. In patients with tumors that are seemingly isolated to the pelvis, amenable for surgical resection, the possible risk of a peripheral nerve injury is superseded if beneficial effects are obtained by controlling the local manifestations of the tumor.