[Complete brachial plexus paralysis caused by compartment syndrome in heroin intoxication].

We report the case of a young man with heroin intoxication. While deeply unconscious, he sustained a compartment syndrome of the arm and shoulder region leading to a lesion of the upper plexus. Immediate surgical decompression by fasciotomy incisions, intensive care treatment including hemofiltration to treat myoglobinemia, intense physical exercise, and mesh-grafting closure of the wounds soon led to unexpected recovery. The function of the arm was restored in such a way that the patient was able to intoxicate himself again. He needed intubation and ventilation but recovered uneventfully.