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Long-Term Results of Microsurgical Brachial Plexus Reconstruction in Late-Presenting Cases of Brachial Plexus Birth Injury. J Hand Surg Am 2023; 48:126-133. [PMID: 36539318 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2022.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Revised: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The role of primary surgery in delayed presenting cases of brachial plexus birth injury is still debated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of brachial plexus reconstruction performed at the age of ≥12 months. METHODS Twenty-nine cases were included. Five cases had upper (C5-6) palsy, 4 had upper/middle (C5-7), and 20 had total (C5-8 and T1) palsy. RESULTS The age at the time of primary surgery was an average of 15.6 months. The brachial plexus was formally explored and neurolysis, grafting, and neurotization were used in different combinations. Exploration revealed that 27% of the roots were avulsed and 32% were ruptured. The follow-up was an average of 7.9 years. Generally, the best functional recovery was elbow flexion followed by shoulder external rotation. Satisfactory shoulder abduction (≥6 on the Toronto Active Movement Scale [TAMS]) was achieved in 31% of cases. The abduction range was an average of 79° ± 35°; 50° in upper palsy, 103° in upper/middle palsy, and 82° in total palsy. Shoulder external rotation ≥6 on the TAMS was achieved in 62% of cases. External rotation range was an average of 58° ± 29°; 78° in upper palsy, 68° in upper/middle palsy, and 52° in total palsy. Elbow flexion and extension of ≥6 on the TAMS were achieved in 69% and 58% of cases, respectively. Wrist flexion and finger flexion of ≥6 on the TAMS were achieved in 35% and 12.5%, whereas wrist and finger extension of >6 on the TAMS were achieved in 25% and 4% of cases, respectively. CONCLUSION In the delayed presentation of brachial plexus birth injury, brachial plexus reconstruction results in good functional recovery of elbow flexion and shoulder external rotation but modest functional recovery of finger flexion and wrist extension. The rate of functional recovery of the elbow flexion was similar following nerve grafting and transfer. Nerve transfer for shoulder external rotation should be considered even in infants with available roots for grafting. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic IV.
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Srinivasan N, Mahajan J, Gupta S, Shah YM, Shafei J, Levidy MF, Abdelmalek G, Pant K, Jain K, Zhao C, Chu A, McGrath A. Surgical timing in neonatal brachial plexus palsy: A PRISMA-IPD systematic review. Microsurgery 2022; 42:381-390. [PMID: 35147253 PMCID: PMC9305151 DOI: 10.1002/micr.30871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Background Neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP) is a serious complication of high‐risk deliveries with controversy surrounding timing of corrective nerve surgery. This review systematically examines the existing literature and investigates correlations between age at time of upper trunk brachial plexus microsurgery and surgical outcomes. Methods A systematic screening of PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, and CINAHL databases using PRISMA‐IPD guidelines was conducted in January 2020 to include full‐text English papers with microsurgery in upper trunk palsy, pediatric patients. Spearman rank correlation analysis and two‐tailed t‐tests were performed using individual patient data to determine the relationship between mean age at time of surgery and outcome as determined by the Mallet, Medical Research Council (MRC), or Active Movement Scale (AMS) subscores. Results Two thousand nine hundred thirty six papers were screened to finalize 25 papers containing individual patient data (n = 256) with low to moderate risk of bias, as assessed by the ROBINS‐I assessment tool. Mallet subscore for hand‐to‐mouth and shoulder abduction, AMS subscore for elbow flexion and external rotation, and MRC subscore for elbow flexion were analyzed alongside the respective age of patients at surgery. Spearman rank correlation analysis revealed a significant negative correlation (ρ = −0.30, p < .01, n = 89) between increasing age (5.50 ± 2.09 months) and Mallet subscore for hand‐to‐mouth (3.43 ± 0.83). T‐tests revealed a significant decrease in Mallet hand‐to‐mouth subscores after 6 months (p < .05) and 9 months (p < .05) of age. No significant effects were observed for Mallet shoulder abduction, MRC elbow flexion, or AMS elbow flexion and external rotation. Conclusion The cumulative evidence suggests a significant negative correlation between age at microsurgery and Mallet subscores for hand‐to‐mouth. However, a similar correlation with age at surgery was not observed for Mallet shoulder abduction, MRC elbow flexion, AMS external rotation, and AMS elbow flexion subscores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nivetha Srinivasan
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jasmine Mahajan
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Shivani Gupta
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Yash M Shah
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jasmine Shafei
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Michael F Levidy
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - George Abdelmalek
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Krittika Pant
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Kunj Jain
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Caixia Zhao
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Alice Chu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Aleksandra McGrath
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Department of Surgical and Perioperative Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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Lee JA, Smith BT, Egro FM, Stanger M, Koster W, Grunwaldt LJ. Timing of Nerve Recovery After Nerve Grafting in Obstetrical Brachial Plexus Palsy Patients With Isolated Upper Trunk Neuromas. Ann Plast Surg 2021; 87:446-450. [PMID: 34559713 DOI: 10.1097/sap.0000000000002939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The timing of nerve recovery after nerve grafting in obstetrical brachial plexus palsy patients has not been well reported. One prior study reported a return to baseline function at 3 to 6 months postoperatively. However, there is a paucity of studies to corroborate this timing, and there have been no studies delineating the timeline to obtain clinically meaningful function. METHODS OBPP patients with upper trunk neuromas-in-continuity who were treated with resection and sural nerve grafting at a single institution were studied. Time to return to baseline function was assessed by Active Movement Scale (AMS) scores preoperatively and postoperatively. Time to clinically meaningful function, defined as an AMS score of ≥6, was also assessed. RESULTS Eleven patients with isolated upper trunk neuromas-in-continuity underwent excision and reversed sural nerve grafting. Three of 11 patients also underwent spinal accessory to suprascapular nerve transfers. Average age at surgery was 9.8 ± 1.9 months. One patient did not have follow-up data and was excluded. Average follow-up was 37.1 ± 16.8 months. Average return to baseline AMS score was approximately 4 to 8 months for shoulder abduction, shoulder flexion, shoulder external rotation, elbow flexion, and forearm supination. Clinically meaningful function was obtained in most patients between 9 and 15 months. The remaining patients who did not achieve clinically meaningful function had all obtained scores of 5, which reflects less than one half normal range of motion against gravity. CONCLUSIONS Nerve recovery after surgical intervention in OBPP patients who undergo resection of an upper trunk neuroma-in-continuity and nerve grafting is more rapid than in adults but longer than previously reported in OBPP literature. This study provides an important data point in delineating the timeline of nerve recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Lee
- From the Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
| | - Brandon T Smith
- From the Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
| | - Francesco M Egro
- From the Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
| | - Meg Stanger
- Division of Pediatric Plastic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Wendy Koster
- Division of Pediatric Plastic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Lorelei J Grunwaldt
- Division of Pediatric Plastic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
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Pulos N, Shaughnessy WJ, Spinner RJ, Shin AY. Brachial Plexus Birth Injuries: A Critical Analysis Review. JBJS Rev 2021; 9:01874474-202106000-00003. [PMID: 34102666 DOI: 10.2106/jbjs.rvw.20.00004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
» The incidence of brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI) in the United States is declining and now occurs in <1 per 1,000 births. » The gold standard for predicting the need for early intervention remains serial examination. » Early treatment of BPBI with reconstructive surgery requires the ability to perform both interposition nerve grafting and nerve transfers. » Given the heterogeneity of lesions, the evidence is largely limited to retrospective comparative studies and case series.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Pulos
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | | | - Robert J Spinner
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.,Department of Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Alexander Y Shin
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
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Abstract
Brachial plexus birth palsy (BPBP) is an upper extremity paralysis that occurs due to traction injury of the brachial plexus during childbirth. Approximately 20 % of children with brachial plexus birth palsy will have residual neurologic deficits. These permanent and significant impacts on upper limb function continue to spur interest in optimizing the management of a problem with a highly variable natural history. BPBP is generally diagnosed on clinical examination and does not typically require cross-sectional imaging. Physical examination is also the best modality to determine candidates for microsurgical reconstruction of the brachial plexus. The key finding on physical examination that determines need for microsurgery is recovery of antigravity elbow flexion by 3-6 months of age. When indicated, both microsurgery and secondary shoulder and elbow procedures are effective and can substantially improve functional outcomes. These procedures include nerve transfers and nerve grafting in infants and secondary procedures in children, such as botulinum toxin injection, shoulder tendon transfers, and humeral derotational osteotomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin L Buterbaugh
- Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Boulevard, Wood Building Room 2307, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-4318, USA
| | - Apurva S Shah
- Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Boulevard, Wood Building Room 2307, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-4318, USA.
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