Susceptibility to tourniquet-induced radial palsy in the presence of previous humeral fracture.
The purpose of this article is to present a potential hazard that may be encountered when using a pneumatic tourniquet during hand surgery, even when applied with the appropriate pressure and for the correct amount of time. Two of our patients developed complete radial nerve paralysis after hand surgery in which the pneumatic tourniquet was used. The tourniquet had a manometer between the cuff and the pump, which allowed for pressure control. The tourniquet time for patient 1 was 45 minutes and for patient 2 65 minutes, and the pressure was 250 mm Hg in both. Both patients had a history of humeral fracture on the paralyzed side.
Kurihara
K
K
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Goto
S
S
D000328:Adult; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D010243:Paralysis / Q000209:etiology*; D011826:Radial Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D014111:Tourniquets / Q000009:adverse effects*