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Aber RN, Grossman LA, Berger AJ, Price AE, Alfonso I, Grossman JA. Long-Term Hand and Shoulder Function in Children following Early Surgical Intervention for a Birth-Related Upper Brachial Plexus Injury. J Brachial Plex Peripher Nerve Inj 2024; 19:e27-e30. [PMID: 38910845 PMCID: PMC11192585 DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1787151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose To better understand the long-term hand and shoulder outcomes of upper brachial plexus birth injuries. Methods We evaluated shoulder and hand function in 32 patients (13 males; 19 females) with a C5/C6 birth injury history). All patients had undergone primary nerve surgery as infants, and 12 underwent a simultaneous shoulder procedure as they presented with a fixed internal rotation contracture of the shoulder. On average, all patients were evaluated and examined 15 years postoperatively. The shoulder function was evaluated using the Miami Shoulder Scale. Hand function was measured by the 9-hole peg test (9-HPT) and statistical analysis included comparison of 9-HPT time against normative data using the Student's t -test. Results The cohort includes 22 right-hand-dominant and 10 left-hand-dominant patients. Mean age at surgery was 10 months; mean age at follow-up was 15 years ± 2 years 2 months. Cumulative shoulder function was "good" or "excellent" (Miami score) in 23 patients. For 9-HPT, 23 out of 32 patients seen had an involved hand with a significant alteration in function. Conclusion Early nerve surgery in cases of upper brachial plexus birth injuries result in the desired outcome. To ensure timely and targeted therapy for any residual deficits, it is imperative that limitations in hand function among children with an Erb's palsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel N. Aber
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Leslie A. Grossman
- Brachial Plexus Program, Nicklaus Children's Hospital, Miami, Florida, United States
| | | | - Andrew E. Price
- Nicklaus Children's Hospital, Miami, Florida, United States
- Orthopedic Surgery, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, New York, United States
| | - Israel Alfonso
- Nicklaus Children's Hospital, Miami, Florida, United States
| | - John A.I. Grossman
- Brachial Plexus Program, Nicklaus Children's Hospital, Miami, Florida, United States
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Cawthorn TR, Hopyan S, Clarke HM, Davidge KM. Management of Brachial Plexus Birth Injury: The SickKids Experience. Semin Plast Surg 2023; 37:89-101. [PMID: 37503532 PMCID: PMC10371415 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1769930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
This article describes the approach utilized by the multidisciplinary team at Sick Kids Hospital to evaluate and treat patients with brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI). This approach has been informed by more than 30 years of experience treating over 1,800 patients with BPBI and continues to evolve over time. The objective of this article is to provide readers with a practical overview of the Sick Kids approach to the management of infants with BPBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas R. Cawthorn
- Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Sick Kids Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sevan Hopyan
- Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Sick Kids Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Howard M. Clarke
- Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Sick Kids Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kristen M. Davidge
- Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Sick Kids Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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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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Lin JS, Samora JB. Brachial Plexus Birth Injuries. Orthop Clin North Am 2022; 53:167-177. [PMID: 35365261 DOI: 10.1016/j.ocl.2021.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Brachial plexus birth injuries (BPBIs) are typically traction type injuries to the newborn that occur during the delivery process. Although the incidence of these injuries has overall decreased from 1.5 to around 0.9 per 1000 live births in the United States over the past 2 decades, these injuries remain common, with incidence holding fairly steady from 2008 to 2014. Shoulder dystocia is the strongest identified risk factor, imparting a 100-fold greater risk. The newborn's shoulder is caught behind the mother's pubic bone, and traction performed on the child during delivery results in injury to the brachial plexus. Other risk factors associated with BPBI include macrosomia (birthweight > 4.5 kg), heavy for gestational age infants, birth hypoxia, gestational diabetes, and forceps or vacuum-assisted delivery. Breech presentation has also been described as a risk factor in the past, but there have been more recent data that challenge this association.
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Affiliation(s)
- James S Lin
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 700 Children's Drive, T2E- A2700, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Julie Balch Samora
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 700 Children's Drive, T2E- A2700, Columbus, OH 43205, USA; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nationwide Children's Hopsital, Columbus, OH, USA.
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Soldado F, Barrera-Ochoa S, Romero-Larrauri P, Nguyen TQ, Diaz-Gallardo P, Knörr J. Triceps to teres minor motor nerve transfer to restore glenohumeral external rotation after neonatal brachial plexus injury. Microsurgery 2022; 42:533-537. [PMID: 35235225 DOI: 10.1002/micr.30879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Attaining active glenohumeral external rotation (aGHER), whether via primary reconstruction or spontaneous recovery, is infrequent in patients with neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPI). We evaluated the effectiveness of triceps-to-teres minor motor branch transfers to restore this function, both performed primarily (i.e., in conjunction with microsurgical plexus reconstruction) or secondarily (after primary surgery has failed to restore aGHER). PATIENTS AND METHODS This was a retrospective study of 12 children with NBPI undergoing triceps-to-teres minor motor branch transfer via an axillary approach, six undergoing primary surgery and six secondary. The primary outcome was post-operative restoration of aGHER in abduction. The primary-surgery group consisted of six children of mean age 8 months (range 5-11) with partial injuries ranging from C5-C6 to C5-C8. The secondary-surgery group included six patients with C5-C6 injuries of mean age 43 months (range 23-120), undergoing re-operation a mean 40 months (range 18-116) after their primary surgery. RESULTS No complications occurred after surgery. At a mean follow-up of 22 months (range 14-30), aGHER in abduction only was restored in one patient in the primary group while in the secondary group, aGHER in abduction was restored in all patients to a mean 73° (range 70-80) after a mean follow-up of 16 months (range 6-26). CONCLUSIONS Triceps-to-teres minor motor branch transfer is not indicated as primary surgery for NBPI. However, they can be effective in children in whom primary surgery has failed to restore aGHER, even if the spinal accessory nerve is unavailable for transfer to the infraspinatus motor branch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Soldado
- Pediatric Hand Surgery and Microsurgery, Barcelona Children's Hospital, HM Nens, HM Hospitales, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Paula Diaz-Gallardo
- Pediatric Hand Surgery and Microsurgery, Barcelona Children's Hospital, HM Nens, HM Hospitales, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jorge Knörr
- Pediatric Hand Surgery and Microsurgery, Barcelona Children's Hospital, HM Nens, HM Hospitales, Barcelona, Spain
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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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Allard R, Fitoussi F, Azarpira MR, Bachy M, Grimberg J, Le Hanneur M. Shoulder internal rotation contracture in brachial plexus birth injury: proximal or distal subscapularis release? J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2021; 30:1117-1127. [PMID: 32853791 DOI: 10.1016/j.jse.2020.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In cases of brachial plexus birth injury with internal rotation contracture of the shoulder, the subscapularis muscle may be released proximally, from the subscapular fossa, or distally, along with periarticular soft tissues arthroscopic to the glenohumeral joint. We hypothesized that the indication for each procedure would rely primarily on patients' bone remodeling potential and periarticular soft-tissue contractures, performing proximal releases in patients aged < 4 years and periarticular distal releases in older patients. The purpose of this study was to analyze the outcomes such a strategy could provide. METHODS All patients presenting with brachial plexus birth injury-related shoulder internal rotation contractures who underwent a subscapularis release were included; in addition, to restore the joint axial balance, the infraspinatus was systematically reanimated with a tendon transfer (ie, latissimus dorsi or lower trapezius) during the same operating time. Chart review yielded preoperative and postoperative clinical and radiographic measurements, including active and passive range of motion of the shoulder in external rotation (ER) with the arm at the side of the body, the modified Mallet score, glenoid version, and the percentage of the humeral head arthroscopic to the middle of the glenoid process. RESULTS Between July 2012 and January 2018, 28 children were operated on at our institution. In patients who underwent proximal subscapularis release (n = 13), significant improvements were observed regarding active shoulder ER, passive shoulder ER, the modified Mallet score, glenoid version, and the percentage of the humeral head arthroscopic to the middle of the glenoid process, averaging 58° ± 32° (P < .0001), 56° ± 20° (P < .0001), 9.7 ± 3.1 points (P = .0006), 15° ± 10° (P = .0034), and 24% ± 20% (P = .0113), respectively, after a mean follow-up period of 4 years. Following distal release procedures (n = 15), these improvements averaged 26° ± 29° (P = .0024), 27° ± 28° (P = .0011), 3.3 ± 4.1 points (P = .0049), 2° ± 17° (P = .4086), and 4% ± 18% (P = .215), respectively, after a mean follow-up period of 3 years. CONCLUSION When combined with axial rebalancing of the joint, the proximal release of the subscapularis muscle appears to be sufficient to provide satisfactory functional outcomes in patients with great bone remodeling potential and supple periarticular soft tissues. In older patients, a more comprehensive release of the glenohumeral joint's arthroscopic aspect seems to provide lower but still significant clinical improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Allard
- Department of Pediatric Orthopedics, Armand Trousseau Hospital-Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Franck Fitoussi
- Department of Pediatric Orthopedics, Armand Trousseau Hospital-Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Mohammad Reza Azarpira
- Department of Pediatric Orthopedics, Armand Trousseau Hospital-Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Manon Bachy
- Department of Pediatric Orthopedics, Armand Trousseau Hospital-Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Jean Grimberg
- Department of Pediatric Orthopedics, Armand Trousseau Hospital-Sorbonne University, Paris, France; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Clinique Jouvenet-Ramsay-Générale de Santé, Paris, France; Institute of Research in Orthopedics and Sports Surgery (IRCOS), Paris, France
| | - Malo Le Hanneur
- Department of Pediatric Orthopedics, Armand Trousseau Hospital-Sorbonne University, Paris, France.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this article is to systematically review the peer-reviewed literature on the morbidity of nerve transfers performed in patients with brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI). Nerve transfers for restoration of function in patients with BPBI that fail nonoperative management are increasing in popularity. However, relatively little attention has been paid to the morbidity of these transfers in the growing patient. The authors systematically review the current literature regarding donor site morbidity following nerve transfer for BPBI. METHODS A systematic review of the Medline and EMBASE databases was conducted through February 2020. Primary research articles written in English and reporting donor site morbidity after nerve transfer for BPBI were included for review. RESULTS Thirty-six articles met inclusion criteria, all of which were retrospective reviews or case reports. There was great heterogeneity in outcomes assessed. With 5 year or less follow-up, all transfers were relatively well tolerated with the exception of the hypoglossal nerve transfer. CONCLUSION Nerve transfers are a well-recognized treatment strategy for patients with BPBI and have an acceptable risk profile in the short term. Full hypoglossal nerve transfers for BPBI are of historical interest. Donor site morbidity is grossly underreported. This review highlights the need for more objective and systematic reporting of donor site outcomes, and the need for longer term follow-up in these patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Systematic review. Level III-therapeutic.
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