Greater auricular nerve neuropraxia with beach chair positioning during open reduction and internal fixation with plate for clavicular fracture -A case report-

Abstract

Greater auricular nerve neuropathy is a reported as complication in some cases of shoulder arthroscopy in the beach chair position using a horse-shoe headrest. Due to this risk, intubation pad-type headrest is recommended for the beach chair position, to effectively prevent greater auricular nerve palsy. In this case report, we described a patient who experienced greater auricular nerve neuropraxia after open reduction and internal fixation with plate of clavicular fracture in beach chair position using an intubation pad-type headrest. A 49-year-old man was diagnosed with left clavicular fracture without accompanying injury or complication. He underwent an operation for open reduction and internal fixation with a plate. After surgery, the patient reported numbness, and a tingling sensation without pain or skin lesion in the auricular area and the lower margin of the left mandible. Based on the clinical symptoms, greater auricular nerve neuropraxia was diagnosed. The symptoms disappeared completely after four weeks of outpatient follow-up.