Obturator Nerve Injury: An Infrequent Complication of TOT Procedure

[Pelvic and perineal pain after genital prolapse: A literature review]

INTRODUCTION

Pelvic and perineal pain after genital prolapse surgery is a serious and frequent post-operative complication which diagnosis and therapeutic management can be complex.

MATERIALS ET METHODS

A literature review was carried out on the Pubmed database using the following words and MeSH : genital prolapse, pain, dyspareunia, genital prolapse and pain, genital prolapse and dyspareunia, genital prolapse and surgery, pain and surgery.

RESULTS

Among the 133 articles found, 74 were selected. Post-operative chronic pelvic pain persisting more than 3 months after surgery according to the International Association for the Study of Pain. It can be nociceptive, neuropathic or dysfunctional. Its diagnosis is mainly clinical. Its incidence is estimated between 1% and 50% and the risk factors are young age, the presence of comorbidities, history of prolapse surgery, severe prolapse, preoperative pain, invasive surgical approach, simultaneous placement of several meshes, less operator experience, increased operative time and early post-operative pain. The vaginal approach can cause a change in compliance and vaginal length as well as injury to the pudendal, sciatic and obturator nerves and in some cases lead to myofascial pelvic pain syndrome, whereas the laparoscopic approach can lead to parietal nerve damage. Therapeutic management is multidisciplinary and complex.

CONCLUSION

Pelvic pain after genital prolapse surgery is still obscure to this day.

Management of obturator nevre injury during pelvic lymph node dissection

OBJECTIVE

Obturator nerve injuries may be seen during pelvic lymph node dissection in oncological surgery and although not common it is an important complication. According to the shape and location of the injury, tingling and loss of sensation may develop on the inner surface of the leg, together with loss of motor function of the adductor muscles. In this study an evaluation was made of these complications encountered in our clinic and the management strategies applied to these patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The data were retrospectively reviewed of 843 patients who underwent open radical retropubic prostatectomy between January 2002 and May 2016. To confirm obturator nerve palsy, electrophysiological investigation (ENG-EMG) was performed immediately postoperatively and 3 weeks later.

RESULTS

A total of 6 obturator nerve injuries occurred during pelvic lymphadenectomy (0.7%). Reapproximation end to end with sutures was applied in 3 case and sural nerve graft in 1. In the other 2 patients, just clips were placed and these were removed early during the operation. After the treatment period, neurotropic medications or physiotherapy were given in some cases according to the neurological examinations.

CONCLUSION

Obturator nerve injury can be prevented by having a comprehensive knowledge of pelvic anatomy, and avoiding the use of electrocautery during lymph node dissection. The repair should be performed as soon as possible, with a tension-free reapproximation of the ends, using electrophysiological tests with a multidisciplinary approach and benefit should be taken from physiotherapy and medical treatment when needed.