Ulnar neuropathy after median sternotomy

C. D. Casscells, R. W. Lindsey, J. Ebersole, B. Li

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

Ulnar neuropathy is a known complication of median sternotomy surgery, and its precise cause is not clear. The authors hypothesize that a 'double- crush' phenomenon caused by intraoperative compression of the brachial plexus occurs in a patient with preexisting, previously undiagnosed slowing of ulnar nerve conduction. Eighty-four arms in 42 patients scheduled for cardiac surgery were studied. Pre- and postoperative history and physical examinations were performed by separate blinded examiners; however, the nerve conduction studies were performed by a single examiner. Fifteen arms (18%) in 11 patients (26%) clinically demonstrated postoperative neuropathy. After surgery, all symptomatic patients had considerable slowing of their preoperative conduction studies. A direct correlation appears to exist between preoperative slowing of ulnar nerve conduction and postmedian sternotomy neuropathy. A careful preoperative evaluation including nerve conduction studies may detect the predisposed patient; the surgeon attempting postoperative cubital tunnel decompression is cautioned that the lesion may not be an isolated one.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)259-265
Number of pages7
JournalClinical orthopaedics and related research
Volume291
DOIs
StatePublished - 1993
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

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