Radial nerve palsy after arthroscopic anterior capsular release for degenerative elbow contracture.
Because the use of arthroscopy has increased recently for the treatment of elbow lesions, reports of complications have become more common. Nerve injury after arthroscopic anterior capsular release is an extremely rare complication, with 4 reported cases worldwide. We usually use a sharp-tipped electrocautery device with a 0.5-mm diameter during arthroscopic capsular release. In this case, because the former was not prepared, we used a ball-tipped electrocautery device with a 3-mm diameter. Herein, we experienced a case of radial nerve palsy after arthroscopic anterior capsular release using a ball-tipped electrocautery device on a degenerative elbow contracture. We supposed that the electrocautery device caused transiently thermal injury of the radial nerve despite proper portal entry site, intra-articular distension, and gentle arthroscopic manipulation. Elbow arthroscopy remains a technically difficult procedure with the potential for neurologic complications. To perform surgery safely, knowledge of the regional neuroanatomy and a thorough understanding of proper instrument usage are required.
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kunkok Hospital, Konkuk University, School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. drpark@chol.com
Jin-Young
JY
Park
Chul-Hyun
CH
Cho
Jin-Hyung
JH
Choi
Sung-Tae
ST
Lee
Chul-Hyung
CH
Kang
D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003286:Contracture / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004551:Elbow Joint; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017746:Joint Capsule / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010243:Paralysis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011826:Radial Nerve / Q000293:injuries*; D020425:Radial Neuropathy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*