Brachial plexus injury complicating the labor: mother is the victim at this time

Abstract

Objective: Postpartum nerve injuries are rare complications of labor and the lower extremity peripheral nerves are the frequently affected ones. In this case report, we are presenting a patient who developed brachial plexus injury after a forceful vaginal delivery.

Case report: The patient is a 28-year-old woman with right upper extremity pain, numbness and weakness, whose symptoms started just after labor. According to the clinical evaluation, electrodiagnostic study and magnetic resonance imaging, it was diagnosed as the brachial plexus injury.

Conclusion: We concluded that similar to the ones seen after some surgeries, brachial plexus may be injured also during delivery and the labor positions should be considered.

• Brachial plexopathy
• labor
• peripheral nerve injury
• postpartum