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[Secondary cubital paralysis from prolonged thoracic drainage]
Annales Francaises D'Anesthesie Et De Reanimation
|September 29, 1998
Summary
Thoracic drains can cause ulnar palsy in sedated patients. Proper drain placement is crucial to prevent nerve injury in intensive therapy settings.
Area of Science:
- Medicine
- Neurology
- Critical Care
Background:
- Thoracic drains are commonly used in intensive therapy for pleural effusion or pneumothorax.
- Standard drain placement involves the lateral thorax with tubing crossing the upper limb.
Observation:
- Two sedated patients developed ulnar nerve palsy.
- The palsy was attributed to thoracic drain tubing positioned behind the elbow.
Findings:
- Thoracic drain placement can lead to iatrogenic ulnar nerve injury.
- Compression or traction on the ulnar nerve by the drain tubing is the suspected mechanism.
Implications:
- Clinicians should be aware of this potential complication.
- Careful assessment of drain tubing position is recommended to prevent nerve damage.
- This highlights the importance of vigilant patient monitoring in intensive care units.