Ulnar nerve injury with open-heart surgery.
The effects of different arm positions during open-heart surgery on the incidence of ulnar nerve injury were studied prospectively in 35 patients. It was concluded that ulnar nerve damage was common and was due to nerve compression at the elbow. A significant reduction in the incidence of nerve injury can be effected by placing the forearms above the head rather than at the patient's side.
D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D004576:Electromyography; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009431:Neural Conduction; D011187:Posture; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000293:injuries