Can a breast augmentation placed behind the muscle (through the nipple) damage the Brachial Plexus?

Question

I have a compressed C5-6 and some pain in the upper back and front of chest wall (right side) including numbness under my arm pit and tingling in my right hand ring finger and pinkie. My Neurosurgeon is asking for another MRI of the Brachial Plexus and an Electromyogram. He suspects Parsonage-Turner Syndrone. Is there a possibility that a breast augmentation behind the muscle through the bottom of the nipple can damage the nerves in the area he is looking at?

M. Scott Haydon, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. Sorry for your problems. Although your arms could have been extended and the nerves stretched, that would be very uncommon to result in such dramatic problems. I actually tape the arms and place the hands across the lower abdomen to avoid this and reduce traction on the pectoralis muscle. I hope it gets better for you.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

I am sorry hear about the pain you are experiencing. Although anything is possible, I have not heard of this complication arising during breast augmentation surgery. Generally speaking, the brachial plexus is outside the area where dissection is done to "create” a breast implant pocket. Of course, a more detailed history and physical examination would be necessary to give you specific enough advice/information be really helpful. Best wishes.

Ronald V. DeMars, MD (Retired) · Answer

No, a breast augmentation would not harm the nerves in the brachial plexus. But if you had trouble after surgery it could come from having your arm stretched away from your side shile asleep. I have never seen that happen, but we normally keep the arms at the patients sides during surgery for augmentation.

John Whitt, MD (retired) · Answer

The most likely reason (although it is extremely unlikely) for a brachial plexus injury during an augmentation would be poor positioning on the OR table causing a traction injury to the nerves.  A direct injury from the surgery itself would be almost unheard of with the incision you describe.

Can a breast augmentation placed behind the muscle (through the nipple) damage the Brachial Plexus?

Answers (4)

Answer: Brachial Plexus Injury With Augmentation

Answer: Brachial Plexus Injury With Augmentation

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Can a breast augmentation placed behind the muscle (through the nipple) damage the Brachial Plexus?

Answers (4)

Answer: Brachial Plexus Injury With Augmentation

Answer: Brachial Plexus Injury With Augmentation

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Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Revision

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