Brachial plexus birth injury.
Brachial plexus birth injuries occur at a frequency of 1-2 per 1000 births. Many of these injuries spontaneously resolve. Should spontaneous recovery not occur within the first 4-6 months of life, the prognosis for attaining movement and function of the affected appendage is significantly impaired. The child demonstrates a lifelong disfiguring and functional handicap. With advances in technology, diagnosis and microsurgical techniques, surgical exploration of the brachial plexus has been revived. A multidisciplinary approach has provided dynamic results. At present only one institution in the United States utilizes this innovative protocol. This article addresses the collaborative perioperative nursing implications for a child with brachial plexus birth injury.
Brucker
J
J
Texas Children's Hospital, Houston 77030.
Laurent
J P
JP
Lee
R
R
Shenaq
S
S
Parke
J
J
Solis
I
I
Cheek
W
W
D001720:Birth Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000601:surgery*; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000451:nursing*