Brachial Plexus Injury Due to Vest Restraints

Abstract

To the Editor: The use of vest restraints in conjunction with wrist restraints is common in confused or combative patients and is not without risks. Death due to strangulation has been reported.^{1 2 3} We describe two patients who sustained brachial plexus injury due to the improper use of vest restraints in combination with wrist restraints.A 22-year-old man with head trauma became delirious after the evacuation of a left-sided subdural hematoma and required the use of vest and wrist restraints for 24 hours. A standard open-in-front vest was employed. The head of the bed was elevated 30 degrees, with the vest . . .