Repair of severe traction lesions of the brachial plexus. 1988

L Sedel
Orthopaedic Surgery, Hôpital Saint-Louis, France.

Since 1972, the author has performed 259 brachial plexus repairs and various associated secondary procedures. The best results were obtained with surgery delayed four to five weeks, because the preoperative assessment of the lesion is more accurate after wallerian degeneration has occurred. In addition, formation of a proximal neuroma allows definition of the exact limits for resection. In cases with associated vascular damage, the vessels should be repaired at the same time as the nerve grafts unless there is severe ischemia. Intraspinal exploration with cervical laminectomy is not justified because intraspinal avulsion is always due to rootlet avulsion. Division of the clavicle to facilitate exploration of the anatomy of the plexus where it is the most complex is advocated. In general, distal grafting allows the recovery of a single function, which is preferable to an attempt at total anatomic repair. The adverse effects of contractions must be avoided. The priority of restoration of functions is an important consideration. Elbow flexion should be the first priority, followed by wrist extension, finger flexion, and shoulder abduction, in that order. The results of grafting may be improved by ancillary operations such as shoulder fusion, flexor tendon tenodesis, humeral derotation, and other procedures that provide limited function for patients with various incomplete and complete avulsions. Microsurgical repairs of brachial plexus lesions currently offer the best results for patients with this type of injury.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009493 Neurosurgery A surgical specialty concerned with the treatment of diseases and disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral and sympathetic nervous system. Neurosurgeries
D010243 Paralysis A general term most often used to describe severe or complete loss of muscle strength due to motor system disease from the level of the cerebral cortex to the muscle fiber. This term may also occasionally refer to a loss of sensory function. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p45) Palsy,Plegia,Todd Paralysis,Todd's Paralysis,Palsies,Paralyses,Paralysis, Todd,Paralysis, Todd's,Plegias,Todds Paralysis
D010525 Peripheral Nerves The nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord, including the autonomic, cranial, and spinal nerves. Peripheral nerves contain non-neuronal cells and connective tissue as well as axons. The connective tissue layers include, from the outside to the inside, the epineurium, the perineurium, and the endoneurium. Endoneurium,Epineurium,Perineurium,Endoneuriums,Epineuriums,Nerve, Peripheral,Nerves, Peripheral,Perineuriums,Peripheral Nerve
D001917 Brachial Plexus The large network of nerve fibers which distributes the innervation of the upper extremity. The brachial plexus extends from the neck into the axilla. In humans, the nerves of the plexus usually originate from the lower cervical and the first thoracic spinal cord segments (C5-C8 and T1), but variations are not uncommon. Plexus, Brachial
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013997 Time Factors Elements of limited time intervals, contributing to particular results or situations. Time Series,Factor, Time,Time Factor
D014855 Wallerian Degeneration Degeneration of distal aspects of a nerve axon following injury to the cell body or proximal portion of the axon. The process is characterized by fragmentation of the axon and its MYELIN SHEATH. Degeneration, Wallerian

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