Nerve Biopsy

What is a nerve biopsy?

The purpose for doing a Nerve Biopsy is to diagnose nerve disease. The surgeon will make a small cut over the nerve of interest. A small segment of the nerve will be cut and sent to pathology. The surgeon will then close the skin with sutures or staples.

My Anaesthetic

This procedure will require a Local anaesthetic.

See Local Anaesthetic for Your Procedure patient information sheet for information about the anaesthetic and the risks involved. If you have any concerns, talk these over with your doctor.

If you have not been given an information sheet, please ask for one.

What are the risks of this specific procedure?

There are some risks/complications with this procedure.

Uncommon risks include:

• Infection. This will need antibiotics.
• Bleeding. Bleeding is more common if you have been taking blood thinning drugs such as Warfarin, Asprin, Clopidogrel (Plavix or Iscover) or Dipyridamole (Persantin or Asasantin).
• A result may not be able to be obtained from the biopsy.
• An area of numbness may occur or possible weakness which could be temporary or permanent.
• Increase risk in obese people of wound infection, chest infection, heart and lung complications, and thrombosis.

Rare risks include:

• An area of numbness may occur or possible weakness which could be temporary or permanent.
• Bleeding. May require further surgery.
• Death as a result of this procedure is very rare.