Letter to the Editor

Excerpt

A 55-year-old woman was seen in the surgery ward for her left drop foot that developed immediately after a surgical procedure. She underwent a low anterior abdominal resection for rectal carcinoma and radio-frequency ablation (RFA) of the metastatic lesions in the liver was performed. The medical history was otherwise unremarkable, except for diabetes mellitus in the last 7 years. Physical examination was consistent with a second-degree dermal burn on the posterolateral side of the left knee due to a technical problem with regard to the ground pad (Fig. 1). Neurological examination revealed a complete left peroneal palsy with no voluntary dorsiflexion and eversion, and sensory loss on the lateral aspect of the left leg and foot. A late electromyography (EMG) was planned and she was started on a rehabilitation program that comprised electrical stimulation and exercises for the left leg. Gabapentine 3×300 mg/day was given as pain medication and a night ankle foot orthosis was prescribed for avoiding ankle contractures. During follow-up, she developed an infection at the burn site. After antibiotic treatment for 2 months, an EMG could be performed, which revealed a total axonal injury of the left common peroneal nerve. In the interim, as she did not benefit significantly from the rehabilitation program, she was referred to the plastic surgeons. They have suggested a surgical repair of the peroneal nerve after her chemotherapy is completed. Currently, she still has a drop foot, but no pain.

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