The Journal of hand surgery
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Acute carpal tunnel syndrome that follows radial artery cannulation has been described. To determine the incidence and predisposing factors, we prospectively studied 151 patients who had perioperative radial artery cannulation. Postoperatively 9 of the 151 patients had symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome with positive Phalen and Tinel signs on the side on which the radial artery catheter had been inserted. ⋯ The use of perioperative anticoagulation, the use of wrist-extension splints, and the duration of radial artery cannulation did not influence acute exacerbation of carpal tunnel syndrome. Patients with a prior history of carpal tunnel syndrome are at increased risk of recurrent symptoms after radial artery cannulation. We found no statistically significant relationship between traumatic cannulations and the development of symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.