title: Brachial plexus injury caused by impalement.
abstract: Open injuries of the brachial plexus are rare. One such case, that of a 68-year-old impaled on a fence spike, is presented here. Certain principles to guide evaluation and treatment are discussed. Concomitant injury to the pleura or to vascular structures requires immediate attention; the extent and type of plexus damage may be determined from physical findings and the nature of injury. The results of plexus reconstruction are variable and routine exploration may be detrimental. The Brooks classification is reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York 10021.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sobel
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Decker
authors.forename: F P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Cammisa
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Berger
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001365:Axilla / Q000293:injuries; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D012784:Shoulder Fractures / Q000209:etiology; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery