Common peroneal nerve injury during varicose vein operation

John Giannas, A. Bayat, S. J. Watson

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Common peroneal nerve (CPN) injury produces considerable and serious disability. The nerve is most frequently damaged as a result of trauma (sharp or blunt, traction, fracture, laceration, and avulsion). Less often iatrogenic injury is the cause of damage (application of tight plaster, retraction injury, division during operation). Even rarer is the complete or partial division of CPN during varicose vein operations. In the UK, on average 34 patients every year begin legal action against their medical attendants in connection with the treatment of varicose veins, on a background of an estimated 100,000 procedures performed. Nerve damage is the most frequent of all major complications that result in legal action; it is cited in 15% of cases. The commonest nerve injury, accounting for about half the cases, is to the common peroneal nerve just before or, as it crosses the neck of the fibula. We present three examples in two cases, which outline the risk of CPN injury, the spectrum of clinical presentation and the problems produced by a failure to recognise the deficit immediately. Regional anatomy, consequences of nerve damage and management options is discussed. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)443-445
    Number of pages2
    JournalEuropean Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
    Volume31
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Apr 2006

    Keywords

    • Common peroneal nerve
    • Nerve reconstruction
    • Varicose veins, iatrogenic injury

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