Sciatic nerve injury in children after gluteal intramuscular injection: Case reports on medical malpractice

Abstract

Two cases of medical malpractice for sciatic nerve injury caused by gluteal intramuscular injection in China are reported. Two children presented with foot drop indicative of sciatic nerve injury following gluteal intramuscular injections. The appraisal of whether there was medical negligence, the causal relationship between the patients’ nerve injuries and medical standard of care, and the causative potency were entrusted to us by the court. Based on each patient’s original medical history, imaging examination results, limb dysfunction and interviews with their relatives, there was a causal relationship between the children’s injuries and the medical treatment. The causative potency of medical negligence was complete effect in one case and main effect in the other case.