gms | German Medical Science

54. Jahrestagung der Norddeutschen Orthopädenvereinigung e. V.

Norddeutsche Orthopädenvereinigung

16.06. bis 18.06.2005, Hamburg

Abscess around the sciatic nerve following a periphery regional anaesthesia

Meeting Abstract

  • corresponding author K. Pohlmann - Elbe-Klinikum Stade, Bremervörder Strasse 111, 21682 Stade, Unfallchirurgie, Stade
  • B. Wegener - München
  • H. Dürr - München
  • A. Schumacher - Rostock
  • P. Müller - München
  • V. Jansson - München

Norddeutsche Orthopädenvereinigung. 54. Jahrestagung der Norddeutschen Orthopädenvereinigung e.V.. Hamburg, 16.-18.06.2005. Düsseldorf, Köln: German Medical Science; 2005. Doc05novEP63

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.egms.de/en/meetings/nov2005/05nov139.shtml

Published: June 13, 2005

© 2005 Pohlmann et al.
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Outline

Text

Introduction

We report on case of an abscess around the sciatic nerve with staphylococcus aureus in and ventral of the gluteus maximus muscle following a catheter regional anaesthesia in a previously healthy 65-year-old male. The indication for the regional anesthesia was pain therapy after implantation of a hemiarthroplastic due to medial gonarthritis.

Case report

On postoperative day 9 the patient experienced a painful swelling at the puncture mark, peripheral neurological symptomatology, fever and increasing inflammatory parameters. Magnet resonance imaging revealed an abscess around the sciatic nerve. Debridement and drainage of the abscess where carried out immediately after confirmation and diagnosis. The patient was discharged from hospital on postoperative 13 without any neurological sequeal.

Discussion

Most important fort he outcome of the intervention, if possible without neurological sequeal fort he patient, is a prompt and reliable diagnosis covering the suspected diagnosis by means of visualizing technique as the magnetic resonance imaging and immediate surgical intervention. A suspected abscess at the sciatic nerve with neurological symptoms calls for quick and adequate action. The depend exclusively on antibiotic therapy or to defer surgery dimishes noticeably the possibility of a restitutio ad integrum.