Neuropraxia of the cutaneous nerve of the cervical plexus after shoulder arthroscopy

This article presents uncommon cases of neuropraxia of the lesser occipital nerve and the greater auricular nerve after arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder in the beach-chair position under general anesthesia. The lesser occipital nerve and the greater auricular nerve are superficial ascending branches of the cervical plexus. These 2 superficial nerves may be easily vulnerable because of their superficial anatomic locations. We assumed that the severity of the neuropraxia of superficial branches of the cervical plexus was related to the degree of rotation and deviation of the head and neck, the duration of the procedure, and compression by head strap and elastic bandage used for fixing the head to the rectangular-shaped headrest of the beach-chair device. We recommend that during surgery in the beach-chair position, the auricle be protected and covered with cotton and gauze to avoid direct compression and the position of the head and neck be checked and corrected frequently. We hope for a new design of the headrest of the beach-chair device to prevent neuropraxia and to attach the head firmly and safely. © 2005 by the Arthroscopy Association of North America.