title: Nerve injuries following TRAM flap surgery.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine whether nerve injuries related to patient positioning could be prevented in patients undergoing transverse rectus abdominous myocutaneous (TRAM) flap breast reconstruction surgery. Gel pads were used on the arms, and the patient's arms were secured along the full length of the armboard. Ninety-one patients have undergone TRAM without any nerve injury. We conclude that use of pads and full length boards had reduced the risk of intraoperative positional nerve injury.
authors.affiliation: Winthrop-University Hospital, Mineola, Long Island, NY, USA.
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Dybec
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000009:adverse effects*; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000601:surgery; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017749:Total Quality Management