Intravenous Access in Infants Undergoing Bilateral Sural Nerve Grafts for Primary Brachial Plexus Exploration

BACKGROUND: Intravenous access (IVA) in infants undergoing primary brachial plexus exploration may be difficult. Both lower limbs are prepared and draped for sural nerve graft harvesting. The injured upper limb is also prepared and draped and is not available for IVA. In difficult IVA from the remaining upper limb, we have been using one of the feet for IVA. The infection rate and problems of intravenous infusions in this setting have never been studied in the literature. This study documents the infection rate and problems of intravenous infusions in these infants when a foot (within the sterile field) is used for IVA. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 63 consecutive infants undergoing primary brachial plexus exploration, and in whom IVA was obtained from one of the feet. Infection rate and problems of intravenous infusions were recorded. RESULTS: No surgical wound infection and no infection of the IVA site were noted. There were no instances of accidental dislodgement of the intravenous cannula and no instances of extravasation. CONCLUSION: The use of one of the feet (within the sterile filed) for IVA is safe and acceptable in infants undergoing primary brachial plexus exploration and bilateral sural nerve grafting.