Does radial artery harvesting for coronary revascularization cause neurological injury in the forearm and hand?

Radial artery (RA) is now used widely as a conduit of choice in coronary artery bypass grafting. Although RA removal is considered safe in the presence of adequate collateral arterial supply, there is still a considerable suspicion on the functional status of the forearm and hand. However, a neurological dysfunction may occur owing to either surgical trauma or ischemic neuropathy. This study was aimed to investigate the functional outcome of the donor forearm nerves of the patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting surgery with RA conduits.