Postoperative Ulnar Neuropathy

Abstract

To the Editor.— We have recently seen three cases of postoperative left ulnar neuropathy. All of the cases involved compression of the left ulnar nerve at the level of the left ulnar groove-cubital tunnel at the time of cardiac surgery—valve replacement surgery in two cases and coronary artery bypass surgery in one case. The development of this compressive left ulnar neuropathy appears to be related to two factors: position and time. The patients were all supine with an arterial catheter in either the radial or the brachial artery with the extended left upper limb placed in a prone or semiprone position resting on the ulnar groovecubital tunnel and taped in this position to either the patient's side or to an arm board for 13 to 48 hours. Other cases reportedly remain taped in this position for up to 72 hours. Once the left upper limb is freed from this position,