Electrophysiological analysis of pudendal neuropathy following traction

Abstract

Pudendal neuropathy is an unusual but important complication of orthopedic surgical procedures involving traction on the fracture table. We describe the clinical and electrophysiological features in six patients presenting with perineal sensory disorders and sexual dysfunction following surgical repair of femoral fracture, hip dislocation, or intra-articular foreign body, in which the traction table was used. All underwent electrophysiological recordings: bulbocavernosus muscle electromyography (EMG), measurements of the bulbocavernosus reflex latencies (BCRLs), somatosensory evoked potentials of the pudendal nerve (SEPPNs), sensory conduction velocity of the dorsal nerve of the penis (SCVDNP), and pudendal nerve terminal motor latencies (PNTMLs). Signs of denervation localized to the territory of the pudendal nerve were found in 3 patients, normal BCRL in 6, abnormal SEPPNs in 4, and abnormal SCVDNPs and PNTMLs in all cases. The outcome at 2-year follow-up was good, except in one patient with initially unrecordable PNTML. Perineal electrophysiological examination can thus confirm the pudendal neuropathy and give prognostic information.