Bilateral brachial plexopathy following laparoscopic bariatric surgery

Abstract

This report describes a case of postoperative bilateral brachial plexopathy following laparoscopic bariatric surgery. The patient, a 39-year-old morbidly obese man, developed motor and sensory deficit, loss of reflexes, and pain in both arms postoperatively. Slow, but complete recovery occurred over nine months. We postulate that the head-up position in obese patients, without specific arm support, is a risk factor for brachial plexus injury.