Thrombophlebitis associated with intravenous injection anaesthetics: influence of arm positioning.
BACKGROUND
Thrombophlebitis (TP) is a frequent complication of the intravenous application of injection anaesthetics. We investigated the influence of different arm positions on the incidence of such a complication in patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy.


METHODS
This prospective, randomised study was done in 86 consecutive major shoulder arthroscopies. In order to evaluate the influence of different arm positions, the arm not operated on was positioned either cranial (n = 31) or caudal (n = 55) to the level of the right atrium. The number of TP in the 5 days following the arthroscopy was detected clinically and proven by ultrasound studies.


RESULTS
8 TP occurred in the group of patients with caudal arm positioning and none in the other group. Statistically, the incidence of TP was not associated with the weight or the height of the patients nor with the duration of the anaesthesia or the doses of anaesthetics used in each patient (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
An elevated position of the arm used for anaesthesia during shoulder arthroscopy is suggested in order to prevent TP.
Pingsmann
A
A
Department of Orthopaedics, University Hospital, Essen, Germany. pingsmann.andreas@t-online.de
Kröger
K
K
Patsalis
T
T
Voges
S
S
Drebes
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000771:Anesthesia, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001132:Arm / Q000098:blood supply*; D001182:Arthroscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011187:Posture; D012782:Shoulder / Q000601:surgery*; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography