• Veronika Hofmann, Maryam Maleki, Hazel Brown, Tom Quick, Madjid Samii, Lukas Rasulić, Peter P Pott, and Urs Schneider.
• Biomechatronic Systems, Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation, Stuttgart, Germany; Human-Technology Interaction, Institute of Industrial Manufacturing and Management, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany. Electronic address: veronika.hofmann@ipa.fraunhofer.de.
• World Neurosurg. 2025 Jan 23; 194: 123632123632.

AbstractEach year, thousands of individuals, particularly young adults, experience traumatic brachial plexus injuries (TBPIs), leading to significant limitations, permanent disabilities, reduced quality of life, and infrequent return to work. Current treatments and assistive devices have shown limited success, resulting in considerable social and economic challenges for patients. Given the devastating nature of this injury and the lack of literature on return to work rates among young adults, this study aims to determine the percentage of individuals reintegrating into work after a TBPI. Furthermore, it compares outcomes across different health care systems, including those in Germany, Serbia, and the United Kingdom. This dual approach has been selected to investigate the influence of various factors on the outcomes associated with returning to work after TBPI. Preliminary findings indicate that approximately 60% of patients with TBPI return to work, although most require a change in their occupational roles. Despite variations in health care systems and governmental support, the reintegration of patients with TBPI into work and society remains a critical and universal challenge. This comparative analysis highlights disparities in TBPI research and outcomes, providing valuable insights for future improvements in patient care and support mechanisms.Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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