What is the most commonly injured nerve during general anesthesia?

The most commonly injured nerve during general anesthesia is the ulnar nerve. This nerve is particularly vulnerable during surgical procedures, as it runs close to the surface at the elbow (the cubital tunnel) and can be compressed or stretched when the arm is positioned improperly or held in a certain way during surgery.

In many instances, the positioning of the patient's arm on the operating table can lead to pressure on the ulnar nerve, especially if the arm is adducted and positioned with the elbow flexed for extended periods. This can result in ulnar nerve neuropathy, which may manifest as sensory deficits in the fourth and fifth fingers and compromised motor function in the intrinsic muscles of the hand.

While other nerves like the radial, median, and sciatic nerves can also be injured during surgeries, they are less commonly affected than the ulnar nerve. The unique anatomical pathway of the ulnar nerve, combined with its proximity to common pressure points during anesthesia, makes it the most frequently injured nerve in such clinical scenarios.