Research Article

Early results of nerve surgery in obstetrical brachial plexus palsy

Volume: 38 Number: 3 September 11, 2006
  • Atakan Aydin
  • Berkan Mersa
  • Metin Erer
  • Turker Ozkan
  • Safiye Ozkan
TR EN

Early results of nerve surgery in obstetrical brachial plexus palsy

Abstract

Objectives: To present surgical techniques and early postoperative results of patients who underwent nerve surgery for obstetrical brachial plexus palsy.
Methods: Twenty-four infants (12 girls, 12 boys; mean age 7.9 months; range 4 to 14 months) with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy underwent nerve repair following a surgical algorithm that showed inadequate spontaneous nerve regeneration and muscle function. Neurolysis was performed in five cases, intraplexial neurotisation in 17 cases, and extraplexial transfer of the spinal accessory nerve to the suprascapular nerve in seven cases. Seventeen patients (70%) had total palsy (C5, C6 and/or C7 rupture and C8, T1 avulsion), four patients (17%) had C5, C6 involvement, and three patients (13%) had C5-7 involvement. Pre- and postoperative evaluations were made according to the grading system of the Hospital for Sick Children (HSC). The mean follow-up period was 15.8 months (range 8 to 31 months).
Results: The mean HSC grades of the patients followed at least for 12 months were as follows: shoulder abduction 4, elbow flexion 4.5, wrist extension 2.3, and finger flexion 3.3. Compared to patients who underwent neurolysis alone, improved nerve regeneration was noted in patients who underwent neuroma excision and nerve grafting. No severe complications occurred postoperatively, including respiratory problems, metabolic acidosis, and hypothermia.
Conclusion: Early diagnosis and nerve surgery in patients having insufficient muscle activity and requiring surgical intervention may prevent atrophy of the muscles and provide a more functional upper extremity.

Keywords

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Health Care Administration

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Atakan Aydin This is me

Berkan Mersa This is me

Metin Erer This is me

Turker Ozkan This is me

Safiye Ozkan This is me

Publication Date

September 11, 2006

Submission Date

March 7, 2014

Acceptance Date

-

Published in Issue

Year 2004 Volume: 38 Number: 3

APA
Aydin, A., Mersa, B., Erer, M., Ozkan, T., & Ozkan, S. (2006). Early results of nerve surgery in obstetrical brachial plexus palsy. Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica Turcica, 38(3), 170-177. https://izlik.org/JA45BD36XS
AMA
1.Aydin A, Mersa B, Erer M, Ozkan T, Ozkan S. Early results of nerve surgery in obstetrical brachial plexus palsy. Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica Turcica. 2006;38(3):170-177. https://izlik.org/JA45BD36XS
Chicago
Aydin, Atakan, Berkan Mersa, Metin Erer, Turker Ozkan, and Safiye Ozkan. 2006. “Early Results of Nerve Surgery in Obstetrical Brachial Plexus Palsy”. Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica Turcica 38 (3): 170-77. https://izlik.org/JA45BD36XS.
EndNote
Aydin A, Mersa B, Erer M, Ozkan T, Ozkan S (September 1, 2006) Early results of nerve surgery in obstetrical brachial plexus palsy. Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica Turcica 38 3 170–177.
IEEE
[1]A. Aydin, B. Mersa, M. Erer, T. Ozkan, and S. Ozkan, “Early results of nerve surgery in obstetrical brachial plexus palsy”, Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica Turcica, vol. 38, no. 3, pp. 170–177, Sept. 2006, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA45BD36XS
ISNAD
Aydin, Atakan - Mersa, Berkan - Erer, Metin - Ozkan, Turker - Ozkan, Safiye. “Early Results of Nerve Surgery in Obstetrical Brachial Plexus Palsy”. Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica Turcica 38/3 (September 1, 2006): 170-177. https://izlik.org/JA45BD36XS.
JAMA
1.Aydin A, Mersa B, Erer M, Ozkan T, Ozkan S. Early results of nerve surgery in obstetrical brachial plexus palsy. Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica Turcica. 2006;38:170–177.
MLA
Aydin, Atakan, et al. “Early Results of Nerve Surgery in Obstetrical Brachial Plexus Palsy”. Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica Turcica, vol. 38, no. 3, Sept. 2006, pp. 170-7, https://izlik.org/JA45BD36XS.
Vancouver
1.Atakan Aydin, Berkan Mersa, Metin Erer, Turker Ozkan, Safiye Ozkan. Early results of nerve surgery in obstetrical brachial plexus palsy. Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica Turcica [Internet]. 2006 Sep. 1;38(3):170-7. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA45BD36XS