Sciatic nerve injuries from gluteal intramuscular injection: according to records of High Health Council.

AIM The purpose of the study was to analyze the cases discussed in High Health Council (HHC) and to determine the solutions for the problems on gluteal intramuscular injection (IMI) applications. MATERIAL AND METHODS In the 9 year period, the cases of IMI related sciatic nerve injury (SNI) sending to take an opinion the Turkey HHC were reviewed. Cases were analyzed in demographic information, degree of nerve damage; side of gluteal region applied on injection, injected drugs, primary disease and appropriateness of parenteral therapy indications, and management. RESULTS There were 107 SNIs from gluteal IMI during 103- months. Eight of 107 cases were male and 99 females. The mean age was 27.5 years. The left sciatic nerve was more injured (39 right, 68 left side). In the 44 % of cases, SNIs were partially serious. The most injected drug was diclophenac sodium (44 %), and 26 % of cases were injected together more than one drug. Out of the one case, in all other cases the wait and watch manner was followed. CONCLUSION In the presented study, it was seen that indications of parenteral therapies are exaggerated; nurses injected the drug while patient's position was inappropriate to IMI. However, an IMI into the gluteal region is potentially devastating. For those reasons, we conclude that the physicians restricted in indications of IMIs, and should be organized continually educations for nurses. Injured patients with related injection were managed according to their neurological damage.