Neuraxial procedures and time to recognition of postpartum lower limb sensorimotor deficit in an obstetric cohort: a retrospective cohort study (2013–2022)
Authors' conclusion
Postpartum peripheral nerve injuries following neuraxial anesthesia are uncommon and, when they occur, are most often associated with favorable recovery. Recognition of lower limb neurologic deficits was most delayed following intrapartum cesarean deliveries.
Study context
- Population
- Postpartum patients referred to anesthesiology and/or obstetric internal medicine consultation for lower limb sensorimotor deficit after neuraxial procedure, 2013–2022cases among 43,861 neuraxial procedures
- Participants
- 74 patients
- Exposure
- Time to recognition of postpartum lower limb neurologic deficit by mode of delivery
- Outcome
- Time to first recognition of neurologic deficit, stratified by mode of delivery
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Time to first recognition of neurologic deficit
P = 0.005
- Time to first recognition of postpartum deficit, all cases (mean ± SD)
- 22.9 ± 18.7 hours
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Secondary outcomes
Incidence of postpartum peripheral neuropathy
- Incidence
- 0.17% (1 in 588)
- Lumbosacral plexopathy
- 37.8%
- Femoral neuropathy
- 33.7%
- Lateral femoral cutaneous neuropathy
- 16.2%
Time to first ambulation after delivery
- Mean ± SD
- 22.1 ± 18.3 hours
Recovery: outpatient follow-up
- Only 1 or 2 outpatient follow-up visits needed
- 92%
- Median time to discharge from outpatient follow-up
- 29 days
Original publication
Neuraxial procedures and time to recognition of postpartum lower limb sensorimotor deficit in an obstetric cohort: a retrospective cohort study (2013–2022). Int J Obstet Anesth. Published 26 July 2025. doi:10.
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