Nerve injury - introduction

Question 1

Incidence of nerve injury in surgery

Answer 1

1.1 and 1.9%

Question 2

Neuropraxia

Answer 2

• External nerve compression

- Recovery within weeks to months

Question 3

Axonotmesis

Answer 3

• Severe compression with axon damage

- Recovery takes longer usually several months

Question 4

Neurotmesis

Answer 4

• Nerve transection with damage to Schwann cells

- Poor prognosis without restorative surgery

Question 5

Site of most likely injury of iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves

Answer 5

• Abdominal wall incisions below the level of the anterior superior iliac spine and approximately 5 cm superior to the pubic symphysis

Question 6

Timing of recovery of neuropathies

Answer 6

• Most neuropathies will resolve spontaneously, with minimal intervention
• Sensory neuropathies typically resolve within 5 days, whereas motor deficits may take up to 10 weeks to recover
• Occasionally neuropathies persist beyond 1 year