Bilateral femoral neuropathy after prostatectomy. Case report and bibliographic review

To report one case of postoperative lateral femoral neuropathy presenting after a retropubic radical prostatectomy. We review the topic. We describe the case of a 72-year-old patient undergoing radical prostatectomy. Combined anesthesia, general and spinal, was given. A self-retaining automatic retractor (Omnitract) was employed. In the immediate postoperative period the patient presented bilateral femoral neuropathy, with difficulties for knees extension and hips flexion, diminished patellar reflex, and absence of sensitivity in the anterior area of the thighs. MRI was performed to rule out spinal pathology. The symptoms improved a lot within a week, completely recovering after two months. Femoral neuropathy is a rare complication after pelvic surgery. In our case we believe it was secondary to nerve compression by the retractor.