Nerve Compression Injuries After Prolonged Prone Position Ventilation in Patients With SARS-CoV-2: A Case Series

Background: Prone positioning improves oxygenation in adult respiratory distress syndrome. This procedure has been widely used during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. However, this procedure can also be responsible for nerve damage and plexopathy. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed a series of 7 infectious patients with coronavirus disease 2019 who underwent prone positioning ventilation at the San Raffaele Hospital of Milan, Italy, during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Results: Clinical and neurophysiological data of 7 patients with nerve compression injuries have been reported. Conclusions: Health care workers should take into consideration the risk factors for prone positioning–related plexopathy and nerve damage, especially in patients with coronavirus disease 2019, to prevent this type of complication.