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

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.