Nerve iniury from intramuscular barbiturate iniection

Intramuscular injection of drugs is usually considered a safe procedure. Occasionally, however, nerve damage, particularly to the sciatic nerve, has been reported following various drugs. There has been same dispute regarding the role which the chemical nature of the drug, the simple physical pressure effect, and technique play in such incidents. A case is reported in which definite sensory damage to the sciatic nerve occurred in a patient after the intragluteal administration of amobarbital sodium. Experiments were undertaken in which amobarbital sodium solution was iniected along the course of the sciatic nerve in guinea pigs. Hypalgesia and decrease of muscle tone developed in all instances, and in same of the animals trophic changes of the feet appeared. The need for careful technique in placing the intramuscular iniection outside the course of the sciatic nerve is discussed.