[Posterior interosseous nerve palsy in a man in a lateral position for laparoscopic adrenalectomy--a case report]

A 51-year-old man with aldosteronism underwent laparoscopic left adrenalectomy. Anesthesia was induced with fentanyl 0.1 mg, propofol 140 mg and vecuronium 7 mg. Following endotracheal intubation, he was placed in a right lateral position with extension of his left side, and fixed with the Magic Bed. Canulation of the right radial artery was smoothly performed. Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane and thoracic epidural anesthesia (mepivacaine and ropivacaine). The operation lasted for 270 minutes and was uneventful. A few hours after surgery, he complained of inability to extend his right fingers without any sensory loss, and the local oppressive pain on his right forearm. Neurological examination revealed a posterior interosseous palsy. Symptoms improved gradually and disappeared completely in two months with the administration of vitamin B12 and physical therapy. Postoperative reproduction of the positioning of this case disclosed that the edge of the Magic Bed might potentially compress the posterior interosseous nerve at the point where the nerve is bifurcated from the radial nerve and travels within the supinator muscle going into the muscle again. This case indicated that we must be careful of nerve injuries due to devices used to maintain the patient in lateral position.