Numbness of the lower lip following urological surgery under general anesthesia – A case report –

BACKGROUND: Peripheral nerve injury is a complication that can occur after general anesthesia. It significantly impairs the patient’s quality of life and may lead to permanent disability. Nerves in several areas can be damaged during the perioperative period, but it is very rare that numbness of the lower lip is caused after general anesthesia. CASE: A 73-year-old man with diabetes mellitus underwent urological surgery under general anesthesia. The day after surgery, he complained of numbness on the right lower lip caused by a mental nerve injury. Diabetic mononeuropathy or neurapraxia related to mechanical compression was considered a possible cause. The symptoms resolved spontaneously after six weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Mental nerve injury is a rare perioperative complication in surgical patients under general anesthesia. In this case, patients should be reassured and advised to avoid injuries to the mouth and lips. However, specific treatment is not required.