RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Prone position plexopathy: an avoidable complication of prone positioning for COVID-19 pneumonitis? JF BMJ Case Reports JO BMJ Case Reports FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP e243798 DO 10.1136/bcr-2021-243798 VO 15 IS 1 A1 Josh King-Robson A1 Eleanor Bates A1 Elisaveta Sokolov A1 Robert D M Hadden YR 2022 UL http://casereports.bmj.com/content/15/1/e243798.abstract AB Prone positioning is a mainstay of management for those presenting to the intensive care unit with moderate-to-severe acute respiratory distress syndrome due to COVID-19. While this is a necessary and life-saving intervention in selected patients, careful positioning and meticulous care are required to prevent compression and traction of the brachial plexus, and resultant brachial plexopathy. We describe two patients who developed a brachial plexus injury while undergoing prone positioning for management of COVID-19 pneumonitis. Both patients were diabetic and underwent prolonged periods in the prone position during which the plexopathy affected arm was abducted for 19 and 55 hours, respectively. We discuss strategies to reduce the risk of this rare but potentially disabling complication of prone positioning.