Neurovascular Complications in Forty-Nine Cases Elbow Arthroscopy and Review Literatures.

BACKGROUND: An elbow arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive surgery. There were several international publications report neurovascular complications in elbow arthroscopic surgery. But there was no study which was conducted in Thailand

OBJECTIVE: To report the result of elbow arthroscopic surgery which focus on the neurovascular complications.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective review of elbow arthroscopic surgery between April 2011 to May 2014 at HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Medical Center Srinakharinwirot University in Nakhon Nayok province was performed. The data of complications were collected since immediately after surgery until 6 weeks after procedure.

RESULTS: Forty-nine elbow arthroscopic surgeries were performed in 44 patients. The authors found total complications occurred in 2 cases (4%) which were minor complications. One case was transient cutaneous nerve injury (2%) and another case was cellulitis around a portal site (2%). No serious or permanent complication was detected.

CONCLUSION: Elbow arthroscopic surgery is considered a safe operation, because only one minor neurological complication was observed and no major neurovascular complications were detected.