Isolated C5–C6 avulsion in obstetric brachial plexus palsy treated by ipsilateral C7 neurotization to the upper trunk: outcomes at a mean follow-up of 9 years

2015 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Gibon ◽  
C. Romana ◽  
R. Vialle ◽  
F. Fitoussi
Keyword(s):  
Brachial Plexus ◽  
Brachial Plexus Injury ◽  
Elbow Flexion ◽  
Root Avulsion ◽  
Pattern Of Injury ◽  
Muscle Transfers ◽  
Obstetric Brachial Plexus ◽  
Elbow Function ◽  
Nerve Root Avulsion

Cervical root avulsions are the worst pattern of injury in obstetrical brachial plexus injury (OBPI). The prognosis is poor and the treatment is mainly surgical with extraplexual neurotizations or muscle transfers. We present the outcomes of a technique performed in our institution to treat C5–C6 avulsion in obstetrical brachial plexus injury. This technique consists of a total ipsilateral C7 neurotization to the upper trunk. Ten babies with isolated C5–C6 root avulsion were operated on; we were able to review nine of them at over 12 months follow-up. The shoulder and the elbow function were assessed, as well as the Mallet Score. The mean follow-up was 9.2 years (SD 5.7). After a follow-up of 6 years, elbow flexion was restored with a range of motion ⩾130° and a motor function ⩾M3 in all patients. The average Mallet score was 18.1 (SD 1.2). This approach appears to be a viable alternative to extraplexual neurotizations for the treatment of C5–C6 nerve root avulsion.

Minimum Ten-Year Outcomes of Partial Ulnar Nerve Transfer for Restoration of Elbow Flexion in Patients with Upper Brachial Plexus Injury

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (03) ◽  
pp. 283-288
Author(s):  
Yusuke Nagano ◽  
Daisuke Kawamura ◽  
Alaa Terkawi ◽  
Atsushi Urita ◽  
Yuichiro Matsui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Brachial Plexus ◽  
Ulnar Nerve ◽  
Functional Outcomes ◽  
Brachial Plexus Injury ◽  
Nerve Transfer ◽  
Elbow Flexion ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Flexion Strength

Background: Partial ulnar nerve transfer to the biceps motor branch of the musculocutaneous nerve (Oberlin’s transfer) is a successful approach to restore elbow flexion in patients with upper brachial plexus injury (BPI). However, there is no report on more than 10 years subjective and objective outcomes. The purpose of this study was to clarify the long-term outcomes of Oberlin’s transfer based on the objective evaluation of elbow flexion strength and subjective functional evaluation of patients. Methods: Six patients with BPI who underwent Oberlin’s transfer were reviewed retrospectively by their medical records. The mean age at surgery was 29.5 years, and the mean follow-up duration was 13 years. The objective functional outcomes were evaluated by biceps muscle strength using the Medical Research Council (MRC) grade at preoperative, postoperative, and final follow-up. The patient-derived subjective functional outcomes were evaluated using the Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) questionnaire at final follow-up. Results: All patients had MRC grade 0 (M0) or 1 (M1) elbow flexion strength before operation. Four patients gained M4 postoperatively and maintained or increased muscle strength at the final follow-up. One patient gained M3 postoperatively and at the final follow-up. Although one patient achieved M4 postoperatively, the strength was reduced to M2 due to additional disorder. The mean score of QuickDASH was 36.5 (range, 7–71). Patients were divided into two groups; three patients had lower scores and the other three patients had higher scores of QuickDASH. Conclusions: Oberlin’s transfer is effective in the restoration of elbow flexion and can maintain the strength for more than 10 years. Patients with upper BPI with restored elbow flexion strength and no complicated nerve disorders have over ten-year subjective satisfaction.

Bilateral Elbow Flexion Reconstruction with Functioning Free Muscle Transfer for Obstetric Brachial Plexus Palsy

2002 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 484-486 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. S. BALIARSING ◽  
K. DOI ◽  
Y. HATTORI
Keyword(s):  
Brachial Plexus ◽  
Elbow Flexion ◽  
Gracilis Muscle ◽  
Brachial Plexus Palsy ◽  
Muscle Transfer ◽  
Nerve Roots ◽  
Obstetric Brachial Plexus Palsy ◽  
Shoulder Joints ◽  
Muscle Transfers ◽  
Obstetric Brachial Plexus

A child suffered a bilateral obstetric brachial plexus palsy involving the C5 and C6 nerve roots. Abduction of the shoulder joints had recovered by 1 year, but elbow flexion did not recover on either side. Free gracilis muscle transfers were performed on both sides, at an interval of 6 months, to achieve elbow flexion. The spinal accessory nerve was used as the donor nerve.

scholarly journals Use of the Facial Artery for Free Functioning Muscle Transfers: An Alternative Pedicle for Salvage in Brachial Plexus Lesions with Vascular Injuries

2020 ◽  
Vol 53 (01) ◽  
pp. 105-111
Author(s):  
Anil Bhatia ◽  
Kaustubh Prabhune ◽  
Alex De Carvalho
Keyword(s):  
Brachial Plexus ◽  
Elbow Flexion ◽  
Facial Artery ◽  
Salvage Procedure ◽  
Vascular Injuries ◽  
Nerve Reconstruction ◽  
Nerve Grafts ◽  
Muscle Transfers ◽  
Functional Muscle Transfer

AbstractFree functional muscle transfer (FFMT) is a salvage procedure recommended in cases of brachial plexus injury with late presentations or failures of primary nerve reconstruction. The workhorse for most authors is the gracilis, and the most common indication is the restoration of elbow flexion. For successful revascularization of the muscle, donor vessels must be in proximity of the site of the muscle fixation and allow direct coaptation to a donor nerve, ideally without the use of nerve grafts. A major problem occurs when patients have sustained concomitant vascular injuries to the subclavian and/or axillary arteries and had previous surgical dissections in the area where the most common vascular pedicles are located. The authors report the use of the rerouted facial vessels as donors in these complex cases. The surgical technique is presented, along with three cases where the procedure was used. The flaps survived in all the patients and grade > 3/5 muscle contraction was observed in the two patients who had adequate follow-up. Conclusion: the use of the facial vessels as donor vessels is an option to revascularize a FFMT in the setting of severe vascular injury to the subclavian and axillary arteries.

scholarly journals Triceps to biceps transfer for restoration of elbow flexion following upper brachial plexus injury

2017 ◽  
Vol 50 (01) ◽  
pp. 035-042
Author(s):  
Pothula Durga Prasada Rao ◽  
Rayidi Venkata Koteswara Rao ◽  
R. Srikanth
Keyword(s):  
Brachial Plexus ◽  
Brachial Plexus Injury ◽  
Biceps Tendon ◽  
Elbow Flexion ◽  
Triceps Muscle ◽  
Grade 5 ◽  
Muscle Transfers ◽  
Flexion Extension ◽  
Grade 3 ◽  
Nerve Surgery

ABSTRACT Introduction: Upper brachial plexus injury in adults causes loss of elbow fl exion; when the primary nerve surgery has failed or the patient seeks treatment after 12 months of injury and pedicled muscle transfers are required. Most commonly, the latissimus dorsi or the Steindler flexorplasty is used. Material and Methods: We have transferred one of the heads of triceps muscle to restore the elbow flexion in such cases. In addition to return of elbow flexion, extension of elbow following surgery is retained. Ten patients suffering from upper brachial plexus injuries underwent transfer of one head of triceps to biceps tendon between December 2011 and August 2015. Results: The recovery of elbow flexion was Grade 5 in 1, Grade 4 in 4 and Grade 3 in 2; only three of the ten patients had no functionally useful elbow flexion. Seven of the ten patients had an adequate elbow extension following the procedure.

Distal transfers as a primary treatment in obstetric brachial plexus palsy: a series of 20 cases

2016 ◽  
Vol 41 (8) ◽  
pp. 875-881 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. A. Ghanghurde ◽  
R. Mehta ◽  
K. M. Ladkat ◽  
B. B. Raut ◽  
M. R. Thatte
Keyword(s):  
Brachial Plexus ◽  
Elbow Flexion ◽  
Suprascapular Nerve ◽  
Primary Treatment ◽  
Spinal Accessory Nerve ◽  
Accessory Nerve ◽  
Type I ◽  
Spinal Accessory ◽  
Obstetric Brachial Plexus

The purpose of this study was to examine the results of spinal accessory nerve to suprascapular nerve (with or without axillary nerve neurotization) and an Oberlin transfer as primary treatment in children with Narakas type I obstetric brachial plexus injuries, when parents refused to consent to conventional nerve trunk-/root-level reconstruction. A total of 20 children with poor shoulder abduction and no biceps antigravity function but with good hand function were treated with spinal accessory nerve to suprascapular nerve and an Oberlin transfer at a mean age of 5.8 months (SD 3.27; range 3–12.) All the patients were evaluated at a mean of 2.8 years (SD 0.8; range 1.5 to 3.8) post-operatively. Three patients were lost to follow-up. Of the remainder, 11 had grade 4+ power of elbow flexion and six patients had grade 4 power at 1 year follow-up; all had 4+ power of elbow flexion at final follow-up. At final follow-up the Mallet score was a mean of 15; (SD 4.22, range 9 to 20). Primary distal nerve transfers can give good outcomes in patients with obstetric brachial plexus injuries and may be an alternative to surgery on the nerve trunks Level of evidence: IV

Obstetrical brachial plexus injuries: Late functional results of the Steindler procedure

2014 ◽  
Vol 39 (8) ◽  
pp. 868-875 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Gilbert ◽  
S. Valbuena ◽  
C. Posso
Keyword(s):  
Brachial Plexus ◽  
Brachial Plexus Injury ◽  
Elbow Flexion ◽  
Functional Results ◽  
Obstetrical Brachial Plexus Palsy ◽  
Long Term Follow Up ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Extensor Lag

We reviewed late functional results of a modified Steindler procedure in patients with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy and poor active elbow flexion. From 1982 to 2005, we reviewed final functional results and complications of 27 cases with flexion weakness of the elbow secondary to obstetrical brachial plexus injury, treated with a modified Steindler procedure. At the end of the follow-up, the mean active elbow flexion was 97° and the mean extensor lag was 10°. In the long-term follow-up, the modified Steindler procedure maintained good results in 67% of the cases in our series, and this percentage raised by 82% when the wrist extensor was present or restored before the Steindler procedure. There were poor results in 19% of the patients, but no major complications.

Elbow Flexion Reconstruction by Steindler Flexorplasty in Obstetric Brachial Plexus Palsy

2005 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 424-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. M. AL-QATTAN
Keyword(s):  
Brachial Plexus ◽  
Selection Criteria ◽  
Elbow Flexion ◽  
Drill Hole ◽  
Flexion Contracture ◽  
Brachial Plexus Palsy ◽  
Older Children ◽  
Obstetric Brachial Plexus Palsy ◽  
Obstetric Brachial Plexus

The results of Steindler flexorplasty in nine patients with obstetric brachial plexus palsy are reported. There were 5 girls and 4 boys with a mean age of 6 (range 2–13) years. Selection criteria for the procedure included strong (at least M4) grip strength and wrist and elbow extension, as well as the presence of the “Steindler effect”. Pre-operatively, elbow flexion was rated as M0 or M1 in three patients and M2 in the remaining six patients. Intra-operatively, the detached common flexor origin was advanced 5 to 7 cm and fixation was done to the anterior humerus either with direct suture to the periosteum (in younger children) or suturing into a drill hole in the humerus (in older children). Postoperatively, the elbow was immobilized in flexion and supination for 6 weeks. At a mean follow-up of 5 years, the results in eight patients were good with mean active elbow flexion against resistance of 110° and a mean elbow flexion contracture of 35°. The result in the remaining patient was poor (unsuccessful transfer). It is concluded that the results of the Steindler flexorplasty in obstetric brachial plexus palsy patients are good and reliable, provided patient selection is careful.

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