Venepuncture nerve injuries

6 patients seen in a blood-transfusion centre had painful peripheral-nerve injuries after venepuncture in the antecubital fossa. The nerves injured were the median nerve and the medial and lateral cutaneous nerves of the forearm in the antecubital fossa. The frequency of this injury was approximately 1/25 000 venepunctures. 3 patients were treated with carbamazepine, which relieved their pain. Although all patients recovered, early recognition of this complication of venepuncture is important, since successful treatment may obviate prolonged disabling symptoms and future litigation.