J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2008 Dec;44(6):392-395. 10.3340/jkns.2008.44.6.392.

Prone Position-Related Meralgia Paresthetica after Lumbar Spinal Surgery : A Case Report and Review of the Literature

• Cho KT
• Lee HJ

• KMID: 1477502
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3340/jkns.2008.44.6.392

Abstract

Lateral femoral cutaneous neuropathy occurring during spinal surgery is frequently related to iliac bone graft harvesting, but meralgia paresthetica (MP) can result from the patient being in the prone position. Prone position-related MP is not an uncommon complication after posterior spine surgery but there are only few reports in the literature on this subject. It is usually overlooked because of its mild symptoms and self-limiting course, or patients and physicians may misunderstand the persistence of lower extremity symptoms in the early postoperative period to be a reflection of poor surgical outcome. The authors report a case of prone position-related MP after posterior lumbar interbody fusion at the L3-4 and reviewed the literature with discussion on the incidence, pathogenesis, and possible risk factors related to this entity.

Keyword

Meralgia paresthetica (MP); Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN); Prone position; Posterior spinal surgery

MeSH Terms

Humans
Incidence
Lower Extremity
Nerve Compression Syndromes
Postoperative Period
Prone Position
Risk Factors
Spine
Transplants
Nerve Compression Syndromes