Remote therapeutic effect of early nerve transposition in treatment of obstetrical brachial plexus palsy.
OBJECTIVE
To report a method and remote therapeutic effect of early nerve transposition in treatment of obstetrical brachial plexus palsy.


METHODS
From May 1995 to August 1996, 12 patients who had no recovery of biceps 3 months after birth were treated with nerve transposition. Eight had neuroma at the upper trunk and 4 had rupture or avulsion of the upper trunk. Mallet test was used to evaluate the results.


RESULTS
The follow-up of 40-52 months showed that excellent and good recovery in functions was found in 75% of the patients and the excellent rate of phrenic nerve and accessory nerve transposition was 83.3% and 6 6.7% respectively. A complete recovery in shoulder and elbow joint function was in 3 patients and Mallet IV was in 6 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Satisfactory outcome can be obtained by using early nerve transposition in treating obstetrical brachial plexus.
Xu
J
J
Department of Orthopaedics and Hand Surgery, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China.
Cheng
X
X
Dong
Z
Z
Gu
Y
Y
D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D020516:Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D016067:Nerve Transfer; D010246:Paralysis, Obstetric / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome