1. Transfer of Pectoral Nerves to the Musculocutaneous Nerve in Obstetric Upper Brachial Plexus Palsy
- Author
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Gerhard Blaauw and Albert C.J. Slooff
- Subjects
Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Time Factors ,Adolescent ,Musculocutaneous nerve ,medicine.nerve ,Birth Injuries ,Outcome Assessment, Health Care ,Paralysis ,Humans ,Medicine ,Erb's palsy ,Brachial Plexus Neuropathies ,Child ,Nerve Transfer ,Thoracic Nerves ,Palsy ,business.industry ,Medial pectoral nerve ,Infant ,Nerve plexus ,Recovery of Function ,Anatomy ,medicine.disease ,Nerve Regeneration ,Surgery ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Child, Preschool ,Musculocutaneous Nerve ,Female ,Neurology (clinical) ,medicine.symptom ,business ,Brachial plexus ,Follow-Up Studies - Abstract
Objective To investigate the results of transfer of pectoral nerves to the musculocutaneous nerve for treatment of obstetric brachial palsy. Methods In 25 cases of obstetric brachial palsy (20 after breech deliveries), branches of the pectoral nerve plexus were transferred directly to the musculocutaneous nerve. For all patients, the nerve transfer was part of an extended brachial plexus reconstruction. Results were tested both clinically and with the Mallet scale, at a mean follow-up time of 70 months (standard deviation, 34.3 mo). Results There were two complete failures, which were attributable to disconnection of the transferred nerve endings. The results after transfer were excellent in 17 cases and fair in 5 cases. Steindler flexorplasty improved elbow flexion for three patients. Conclusion Transfer of pectoral nerves to the musculocutaneous nerve for treatment of obstetric upper brachial palsy may be effective, if the specific anatomic features of the pectoral nerve plexus are sufficiently appreciated.
- Published
- 2003
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