Ewha Med J.  2017 Oct;40(4):168-170. 10.12771/emj.2017.40.4.168.

Hypoesthesia of the Cutaneous Branch of Cervical Plexus after Shoulder Arthroscopy under General Anesthesia with Ultrasound Guided-Interscalene Block

• Jeong JS
• Kim YJ
• Woo JH
• Chung RK
• Kim DY
• Chae JS

• KMID: 2393722
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12771/emj.2017.40.4.168

Abstract

We present an uncommon case of hypoesthesia in the posterior and upper third of the superior area on the left ear auricle, after arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder in the lateral position under general anesthesia with ultrasound guided-interscalene brachial plexus block. A 65-year-old man underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair of the left shoulder in the right lateral decubitus position. Two days after operation, he complained of numbness around the left auricle; his symptoms persisted until 6 weeks after surgery. Audiometry and sensory examinations were normal. He recovered naturally by 6 months postoperatively. Postoperative neurological deficits that may not be block-related can be attributed to a combination of factors, such as patient-, anesthesia-, and surgery-related factors, including direct trauma, positioning, and retraction. Anesthesiologists should be aware that the injury may not be block-related and consider other possible causes.

Keyword

Hypoesthesia; Shoulder arthroscopes; Peripheral nerves; Patient positioning

MeSH Terms

Aged
Anesthesia, General*
Arthroscopy*
Audiometry
Brachial Plexus Block
Cervical Plexus*
Ear Auricle
Humans
Hypesthesia*
Patient Positioning
Peripheral Nerves
Rotator Cuff
Shoulder*
Ultrasonography*

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