Long-Term Outcomes of Brachial Plexus Reconstruction with Sural Nerve Autograft for Brachial Plexus Birth Injury

What is it about?

The long-term outcomes of brachial plexus reconstruction with nerve autograft in infants with brachial plexus birth injuries(BPBI) are not well described. In particular the presence and timing of recovery of muscle function are not clearly understood. We reviewed 43 infants with BPBI to assess their recovery, and found that the majority recovered elbow flexion and shoulder abduction, but shoulder external rotation and wrist extension recovery were less reliably observed. It often takes more than a year for infants to develop this muscle strength after surgery. Additional surgical procedures are often performed to optimize function, especially at the shoulder.

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