Neuromuscular complications associated with liver transplantation

Muscle Nerve. 1996 Jun;19(6):696-700. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-4598(199606)19:6<696::AID-MUS2>3.0.CO;2-5.

Abstract

We studied neuromuscular complications in a cohort of 520 patients with liver transplantation. Perioperative mononeuropathy developed in 9 patients. The peroneal nerve, radial nerve, and cutaneous branch of the femoral nerve were affected in 2 patients each. Two patients had herpes zoster-associated radiculopathy, and 1 patient had Horner's syndrome. Recovery was good in most patients. In 7 patients, severe quadriplegia complicated the perioperative course. In 5 patients, electrophysiologic studies suggested acute necrotic myopathy, and muscle biopsy specimens showed evidence of rhabdomyolysis in 1 patient. Outcome in survivors was good, all recovering completely. We conclude that neuromuscular complications in liver transplantation are uncommon (less than 1%) and do not significantly contribute to morbidity. Mononeuropathies may have iatrogenic perioperative causes, and rhabdomyolysis may be an important cause of generalized muscle weakness after liver transplantation.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cohort Studies
  • Electrophysiology
  • Female
  • Femoral Nerve
  • Herpes Zoster / complications
  • Horner Syndrome / etiology
  • Horner Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Liver Transplantation*
  • Lumbosacral Plexus / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle, Skeletal / pathology
  • Necrosis
  • Neuromuscular Diseases / etiology*
  • Neuromuscular Diseases / pathology
  • Neuromuscular Diseases / physiopathology
  • Peroneal Nerve
  • Postoperative Complications / physiopathology*
  • Quadriplegia / etiology
  • Quadriplegia / physiopathology
  • Radial Nerve
  • Radiculopathy / etiology
  • Retrospective Studies