The Thai Anesthesia Incidents Study (THAI Study) on nerve injury associated with anesthesia.

OBJECTIVES

The Thai Anesthesia Incidents Study (THAI Study) database was used to identify the incidence, outcome and contributing factors of nerve injuries associated with anesthesia in Thai people.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: A prospective multicenter study was conducted in 20 hospital in Thailand from February 1, 2003 to January 31, 2004. All patients underwent anaesthesia were monitored for nerve injuries during the first 24 hours. The details of nerve injuries were recorded and analysed.

RESULTS

The overall incidence of nerve injuries associated with anesthesia was 1.6 per 10,000 patients. Considering on spinal and regional anesthesia, the incidence was 5.2 per 10,000 patients. Lumbosacral roots comprised 65.4% of the injuries, the brachial plexus nerve 11.5%, and femoral nerve 7.7%. Contributing factors included type and duration of surgery and regional anesthesia.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of nerve injuries associated with anesthesia in Thailand was 1.5 per 10,000 patients. The spinal anesthesia was predominantly associated with injury of lumbosacral root.