Outcomes of surgery in 1019 brachial plexus lesions treated at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center

• DOI: 10.3171/jns.2003.98.5.1005
• Publication Date: 2009-05-13T17:57:34Z
• Authors: Daniel H. Kim; Yong-Jun Cho; Robert L. Tiel; David G. Kline
• Keywords: Brachial plexus injury; Upper trunk; Plexus; Presentation (obstetrics)

Outcomes of 1019 brachial plexus lesions in patients who underwent surgery at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center during a 30-year period are reviewed this paper to provide management guidelines.Causes included 509 stretches/contusions (50%), 161 tumors (16%), 160 thoracic outlet syndromes (TOSs, 16%), 118 gunshot wounds (12%), and 71 lacerations (7%). Many features clinical presentation, including prior treatment, patient's neurological status, results electrophysiological studies, intraoperative findings, postoperative level function, were studied. The minimum follow-up was 18 months the mean 42 months. Repairs best for injuries located C-5, C-6, C-7 levels, upper middle trunk, lateral cord musculocutaneous nerve, median posterior cords axillary radial nerves. Conversely, poor C-8 T-1 lower trunk medial lesions, with exception nerve. most favorable when carefully evaluated selected surgery, although variables such as lesion type, location, severity, well time since injury also affected outcome. This true TOSs arising from plexus, especially if they had not been surgically treated previously.Surgical exploration repair is technically feasible outcomes can be achieved thoroughly appropriately selected.