Perioperative Peripheral Nerve Injury (PPNI) causes significant morbidity for patients and is the third leading cause of anesthesia-related litigation. It is also a significant source of stress for healthcare professionals facing protracted litigation.

PPNI can result in sensory disturbances (loss of sensation, hypoesthesia, hyperesthesia, paresthesia, and pain in areas innervated by the affected nerves) and/or motor deficits (mild or even total paralysis of the affected muscles). Autonomic dysfunction and trophic changes can occur leading to severe neuropathic pain.