Common peroneal injury mistaken neuraxial analgesia complication after vaginal delivery: A case report

Kang, Ryung A; Choi, Duck Hwan; Choi, Ji Won

Case Report

Obstetric Anesthesia

Anesthesia and Pain Medicine 2014;9(2):134-137.
Published online April 30, 2014.

Common peroneal injury mistaken neuraxial analgesia complication after vaginal delivery: A case report

Ryung A Kang, Duck Hwan Choi, Ji Won Choi

¹Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. duckhwanc@gmail.com
²Bundang JeSaeng General Hospital, DaeJin Medical Center, Seongnam, Korea.

Received: 14 May 2013 • Revised: 22 May 2013

Abstract

Common peroneal neuropathy during normal delivery is associated with instrumentation and prolonged time spent in a certain position. We report a case of unilateral common peroneal neuropathy in a vaginal delivery patient under labor analgesia with the combined spinal-epidural technique. A 29-year-old woman complained of weakness and numbness of the left foot two days after vaginal delivery. Neurologic examination and electrodiagnostic testing confirmed left common peroneal neuropathy. The patient was referred for rehabilitation, which substantially improved her mobility and function, and prevented secondary damage. The patient had not fully recovered at three months after the delivery. The possible etiology of the postpartum common peroneal neuropathy was most likely prolonged and excessive pressure around the knee by assistants. Excessive compression during delivery should be minimized or avoided. Patient education and awareness among the labor and delivery team will prevent this complication. Neurologic complications related to epidural analgesia should also be ruled out in these patients.

Key Words: Common peroneal neuropathy, Epidural analgesia, Neurologic complication, Obstetric labor