Two Cases of Brachial Plexopathy Following Nephrectomy

Case Report

J Korean Assoc EMG Electrodiagn Med 2016;18(2):62-65.
Published online December 31, 2016.

Received: 25 May 2016 • Revised: 12 August 2016 • Accepted: 12 August 2016

Abstract

Brachial plexopathy is the second most common nerve injury caused by improper positioning of the patient during general anesthesia. There have been many reports concerning brachial plexopathy following general anesthesia. However, to the best of our knowledge, brachial plexopathy following nephrectomy has not yet been reported in Korea. We report two patients who developed brachial plexopathy immediately following nephrectomy in a semi-lateral position under general anesthesia. Brachial plexopathy following nephrectomy in the semi-lateral position may have been due to traction secondary to excessive lateral flexion of the head or due to improper positioning of the upper extremity. To prevent potential disability of brachial plexopathy during general anesthesia, appropriate positioning of the patient’s head and upper extremity on the operating table is important.

Key Words: brachial plexus neuropathies, anesthesia, electrodiagnosis