Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Protecting the brachial plexus during median sternotomy.

D L Tomlinson, I A Hirsch, S V Kodali

    The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
    |August 1, 1987
    PubMed
    Summary

    Cardiac surgery patients rarely experience brachial plexus injuries, with most cases resolving quickly. Careful patient positioning and surgical techniques minimize risks associated with median sternotomy and internal jugular vein cannulation.

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same author

    Recovery from neuromuscular blockade after either bolus and prolonged infusions of cisatracurium or rocuronium using either isoflurane or propofol-based anesthetics.

    Anesthesia and analgesia·2000
    Same author

    Propofol versus propofol-ketamine sedation for retrobulbar nerve block: comparison of sedation quality, intraocular pressure changes, and recovery profiles.

    Anesthesia and analgesia·1999
    Same author

    Subdural cannulation and local anesthetic injection as a complication of an intended epidural anesthetic.

    Journal of clinical anesthesia·1999
    Same author

    Hemodynamic effects of methylprednisolone in patients undergoing cardiac operation and early extubation.

    The Annals of thoracic surgery·1999
    Same author

    Somatosensory evoked potential monitoring used to compare the effect of three asymmetric sternal retractors on brachial plexus function.

    Anesthesia and analgesia·1999
    Same author

    Pulmonary effects of methylprednisolone in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting and early tracheal extubation.

    Anesthesia and analgesia·1998

    Area of Science:

    • Cardiovascular Surgery
    • Neurology
    • Anesthesiology

    Background:

    • Median sternotomy is a common cardiac surgical approach.
    • Brachial plexus injury is a potential complication, though its incidence and causes post-sternotomy require further clarification.
    • The "hands-up" position is often employed during these procedures.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To prospectively assess the incidence and characteristics of brachial plexus injuries in patients undergoing median sternotomy.
    • To identify potential risk factors, including patient positioning and internal jugular vein cannulation, associated with these injuries.
    • To evaluate the clinical course and outcomes of brachial plexus injuries following cardiac surgery.

    Main Methods:

    • Prospective assessment of 335 patients undergoing median sternotomy.

    Related Experiment Videos

  • Patients were placed in the "hands-up" position post-operatively.
  • Data collected on new upper extremity complaints, symptoms, objective findings, and injury laterality.
  • Correlation analysis with sternal retraction, internal mammary artery dissection, and internal jugular vein cannulation.

    • Main Results:

    • 16 out of 335 patients (4.8%) experienced symptoms attributed to brachial plexus injury.
    • Most injuries were mild, with 15 of 16 patients symptom-free at discharge.
    • No significant association found between plexopathy and sternal retraction, internal mammary artery dissection, or internal jugular vein cannulation.
    • Injuries were right-sided, left-sided, or bilateral.

    Conclusions:

    • The incidence of brachial plexus injury after median sternotomy is low.
    • The "hands-up" position and careful surgical technique likely contribute to the low incidence and benign course.
    • Internal jugular vein cannulation does not appear to be a major cause of brachial plexus injuries in this cohort.