Neuromuscular complications associated with liver transplantation

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.