Common Peroneal Nerve Palsy Following Cardiac Surgery.

Jung,  Tae Eun; Moon,  Hi Lim; Jee,  Dae Lim

doi:2003.45.3.426

Case Report

Korean Journal of Anesthesiology 2003;45(3):426-429.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2003.45.3.426

Common Peroneal Nerve Palsy Following Cardiac Surgery.

¹Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Korea.
²Department of Anesthesiology, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Korea. djee@med.yu.ac.kr

Abstract

Nerve injury associated with cardiac surgery and anesthesia is a well-recognized complication with a predilection for the upper half of the body. We report four cases of common peroneal nerve palsy following cardiac surgery that were not subject to external compression to fibular head. The diagnosis of nerve palsy was delayed because of a complicated postoperative course and intensive care, which prevented our determining the causes. The mechanisms of nerve injury are reviewed. We postulate that the etiology is multifactorial, including, old age, subnormal body habitus, prolonged knee flexion and rotation, coexisting disease, postoperative cardiovascular complications, and cardiopulmonary bypass.

Key Words: cardiac surgery; common peroneal nerve palsy