Korean J Anesthesiol.  2006 Jun;50(6):718-722. 10.4097/kjae.2006.50.6.718.

Persistent Brachial Plexus Injury Associated with Axillary Brachial Plexus Block: A case report

• Jung HJ
• Im KS
• Hong SH
• Kim DY
• Kim JB

• KMID: 1862251
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2006.50.6.718

Abstract

A 26-year-old male patient presented for stump revision of an amputated right 3rd finger and neurorrhaphy for a lacerated right 2nd finger. An axillary brachial plexus block was performed using the transarterial technique. Postoperatively, the patient demonstrated signs and symptoms of brachial plexus injury. He exhibited paresthesia in the distribution of the ulnar nerve and motor weaknesses the wrist, elbow, and shoulder. On the 18th postoperative day, nerve conduction and electromyographic studies were performed, which revealed possible right radial neuropathy and axillary neuropathy, or right brachial plexopathy with posterior cord involvement. After seven months of medical and physical treatment, the pain subsided but slight paresthesia and muscle weaknesses still remained. We describe a case of postoperative neuropathy, which is believed to be caused by a direct nerve injury after an axillary brachial plexus block with persistent signs and symptoms over a considerable period.

Keyword

axillary brachial plexus block; nerve injury; paresthesia; persistent motor deficit

MeSH Terms

Adult
Brachial Plexus Neuropathies
Brachial Plexus*
Elbow
Fingers
Humans
Male
Muscle Weakness
Neural Conduction
Paresthesia
Radial Neuropathy
Shoulder
Ulnar Nerve
Wrist