title: Prevention and Management of Nerve Injuries in Thoracic Surgery.
abstract: Nerve injuries can cause substantial morbidity after thoracic surgical procedures. These injuries are preventable, provided that the surgeon has a thorough understanding of the anatomy and follows important surgical principles. When nerve injuries occur, it is important to recognize the options available in the immediate and postoperative settings, including expectant management, immediate nerve reconstruction, or auxiliary procedures. This article covers the basic anatomy and physiology of nerves and nerve injuries, an overview of techniques in nerve reconstruction, and a guide to the nerves most commonly involved in thoracic operative procedures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Blake 1570, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
authors.forename: Hugh G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Auchincloss
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Blake 1570, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA. Electronic address: ddonahue@partners.org.
authors.forename: Dean M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Donahue
mesh_terms: D019468:Disease Management; D006801:Humans; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*
keywords: Anatomy; Complications; Peripheral nerve injury; Peripheral nerves; Physiology; Thoracic surgery