Sciatic neurapraxia as a complication in 1000 consecutive canine total hip replacements

Objectives - To report the frequency of sciatic neurapraxia (SN) associated with total hip replacement (THR), to determine outcome (recovery rate) after SN associated with THR, and to identify potential causes of THR-associated SN in dogs. Study Design - Prospective study. Animals - Dogs (n=786; 1000 hips) that had THR. Methods - Logistic regression was used to determine the association with post-THR SN of the variables age, sex, breed, weight, body condition score, severity of presurgical pain, side (right, left), type of prosthesis fixation (cemented, cementless), duration of surgery, surgeon experience (chronologic order), traumatic presurgical luxation, and primary versus revision arthroplasty. Results - The frequency of SN after THR was 19/1000 (1.9%). Two explanatory variables, age at surgery and duration of surgery, were significantly (P <.05) associated with increased probability of SN. Body weight (P=.09), traumatic presurgical luxation (P=.11), and revision versus primary surgery (P=.11) were marginally associated with increased probability of SN. All dogs with SN recovered fully. Conclusions - SN after THR is not uncommon and complete recovery usually occurs although the recovery time is highly variable. Clinical Relevance - Although SN associated with THR typically resolves, surgeons should avoid iatrogenic sciatic nerve injury during THR. (c) Copyright 2008 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.