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Iatropathic injuries of peripheral nerves

Lister Hospital, Coreys Mill Lane, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 4AB, UK.

R. Birch, FRCS, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Brockley Hill, Stanmore, Middlesex HA7 4LP, UK.

Correspondence should be sent to Mr R. Birch.

This is a retrospective study of 612 cases of iatropathic injury to peripheral nerves seen in one tertiary referral unit between 1991 and 1998. A total of 291 patients was subsequently operated on to explore the nerve lesion. The most common presenting symptom was pain, which often masked underlying loss of function. The delay in diagnosis was up to 40 months.

The findings at operation were analysed according to the type of nerve damaged, the nature of the injury and the referring specialty. Some of the more common causal operations and procedures are discussed. Preventive measures are listed, and early diagnosis and treatment are recommended.