Abstract

VALBUENA, Sebastián E. Parálisis obstétrica del plexo braquial: resultados preliminares de la transferencia del nervio espinal accesorio al nervio supraescapular en 10 casos. Rev. Asoc. Argent. Ortop. Traumatol. [online]. 2015, vol.80, n.2, pp.113-120. ISSN 1852-7434.

Background: To evaluate the preliminary results of spinal accessory nerve to suprascapular nerve transfer in obstetric brachial plexus palsy. Methods: Between 2010 and 2012, 16 transfers of spinal accessory nerve to suprascapular nerve were performed in obstetric brachial plexus palsy. Ten patients with a minimum follow-up of 18 months were included. Values of muscle power were assessed according to the Gilbert scale, and functional scales of the shoulder (Mallet and Gilbert) were used. Preoperative and postoperative values, and the differences between partial and total paralysis results were compared. Student test was used for the statistical analysis. Results: The average follow-up was 20.9 months. Preoperative shoulder abduction power was 0.48 M, preoperative external rotation power was 0 M, and those values at the end of the follow-up were 2.70 M and 2.4 M, respectively. All patients had type 1 patterns of the Gilbert and Mallet scales, with mean postoperative values of 3.2 and 3.5, respectively. Statistically significant differences were found between these values. Conclusions: Limitations of this preliminary report are the short follow-up and the low number of cases. However, the functional results obtained are consistent with those from other reports, and they support the use of the spinal accessory nerve to suprascapular nerve transfer in brachial plexus reconstructions requiring an extra-plexual contribution.

Keywords : Brachial plexus; Obstetrical palsy; Nerve transfers; Neurotization; Accessory spinal nerve; Supraescapular nerve.

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