Omuz Cerrahisi Sırasında Plaj Sandalyesi Pozisyonunda Nadir Görülen Bir Komplikasyon

Abstract

Aim: Shoulder arthroscopy in the beach chair position for treatment of shoulder pathologies is a widely used procedure. In recent literature, complications because of the positioning under general anesthesia have been reported. The objective of this study is to report a case of greater auricular nerve neuropraxia after shoulder arthroscopy.Method: A 32 old male patient has visited our clinic and based on symptoms, physical examination and screening; an operation has been planned with the diagnosis of Bankart lesion. The surgery was performed under general anesthesia. Endotracheal intubation was performed to the patient in the beach chair position.The patient felt dysesthesia and numbness at the middle and lower third of the posterior facade of his left auricle. EMG study revealed neuropraxia in the greater auricular nerve (GAN). Symptoms have started to recover after two weeks postoperatively and resolved completely by 6 weeks.Results: In recent literature, there is a restricted amount of cases about GAN neuropraxia. We recommend that special care should be taken to the head and cervical region with extra padding of the headrest or using a horseshoe headrest to minimize the compression over the cervical plexus and auricular region. To our knowledge in the first case report in Turkey, neuropraxia in the posterior branch of GAN developed, which was confirmed with EMG.Conclusion: The present case aims to raise awareness regarding this rare complication. We think that new materials for beach chair positioning are needed to be produced and used to prevent or diminish complications.