The Journal of hand surgery, European volume
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J Hand Surg Eur Vol · Aug 2009
Elbow flexion after primary reconstruction in obstetric brachial plexus palsy.
Fifty-two children (54 upper extremities) with obstetric brachial plexus palsy who underwent primary reconstruction for elbow flexion restoration were studied. The outcomes were analysed in relation to the type of brachial plexus lesion, timing of surgery, and the type of reconstruction. Overall, 42 of 54 extremities (78%) achieved good and excellent results (> or =M3+). ⋯ The best results were seen in early cases (< or =3 months), where the lateral cord was reconstructed from intraplexus donors. In this group, minimal flexion contracture deformity was observed. Late reconstruction (> or =7 months) of the musculocutaneous nerve resulted in inferior results.