Korean J Anesthesiol.  2003 Sep;45(3):426-429. 10.4097/kjae.2003.45.3.426.

Common Peroneal Nerve Palsy Following Cardiac Surgery

• Jung TE
• Moon HL
• Jee DL

• KMID: 2239935
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2003.45.3.426

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.

Keyword

cardiac surgery; common peroneal nerve palsy

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia
Cardiopulmonary Bypass
Diagnosis
Head
Critical Care
Knee
Paralysis*
Peroneal Nerve*
Thoracic Surgery*