Brachial plexus birth palsy: an overview of early treatment considerations.
Since the description by Smellie in 1764, in a French midwifery text, that first suggested an obstetric origin for upper limb birth palsy, great strides have been made in both diagnosis and early and late treatment. This report presents an overview of selected aspects of this complex and extensive subject. Early treatment options are reviewed in the context of the present controversies regarding the natural history and the indications for and timing of microsurgical intervention in infants with brachial plexus birth injuries.
Ruchelsman
David E
DE
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, 301 East 17th Street, New York, NY 10003, USA. david.ruchelsman@nyumc.org
Pettrone
Sarah
S
Price
Andrew E
AE
Grossman
John A I
JA
D001720:Birth Injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D020516:Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008866:Microsurgery; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome