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Progress in Clinical Neurosciences: Perioperative Ulnar Neuropathies: A Medicolegal Review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 December 2014

John D. Stewart  and
Stephen H. Shantz
John D. Stewart
Affiliation:
Montreal Neurological Hospital and Institute, and McGill University, Montreal QC, and McCarthy Tetrault, London, ON Canada
Stephen H. Shantz
Affiliation:
Montreal Neurological Hospital and Institute, and McGill University, Montreal QC, and McCarthy Tetrault, London, ON Canada
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Abstract:

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Background:

Perioperative ulnar neuropathies have long been attributed to inappropriate arm positioning and padding during operations and have resulted in many lawsuits.

Methods:

A recent Canadian lawsuit is described and the literature regarding perioperative ulnar and other focal neuropathies reviewed.

Results:

The evidence strongly suggests that ulnar nerve damage is usually sustained in the postoperative rather than the intraoperative period. There is no evidence that positioning or padding of the arm during the operation prevents perioperative ulnar neuropathies.

Conclusions:

There should generally be no basis for a claim against medical or nursing staff or hospitals when an ulnar neuropathy develops following anesthesia and surgery.

Résumé:

RÉSUMÉ: Contexte:

Les neuropathies cubitales périopératoires ont longtemps été attribuées à un positionnement et à un matelassage inadéquats du bras pendant la chirurgie et ont donné lieu à de nombreuses poursuites.

Méthodes:

Nous décrivons une poursuite récente au Canada et nous présentons une revue de la littérature sur la neuropathie cubitale périopératoire et sur d’autres neuropathies focales.

Résultats:

Les données suggèrent fortement que le dommage du nerf cubital survient en postopératoire plutôt que pendant la chirurgie. Il n’y a pas d’observation suggérant que le positionnement ou le matelassage du bras pendant la chirurgie prévient les neuropathies cubitales périopératoires.

Conclusions:

Il ne devrait généralement pas exister de fondement à une réclamation contre le personnel médical ou infirmier ou l’hôpital quand une neuropathie cubitale survient après une anesthésie et une chirurgie.

Type
Review Article
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 30 , Issue 1 , February 2003 , pp. 15 - 19
Copyright
Copyright © The Canadian Journal of Neurological 2003

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