What question did this study set out to answer?

Assess the long-term functional outcomes and need for secondary interventions following early surgical repair of complete obstetric brachial plexus injuries.

February 18, 2004Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics

Management of Complete Obstetric Brachial Plexus Lesions

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Why the study?

Does early exploration and repair improve functional outcomes in babies with complete obstetric brachial plexus lesions?

Population

73 babies with complete obstetric brachial plexus lesions operated on from 1978 to 1994.

Design

Case_series

Follow-up

mean 6.4 years

Authors

MHMax HaerleUniversity of Hohenheim AGAlain GilbertJames Madison University

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Supports early repair consideration for hand function in severe cases; leaves open confirmation via controlled trials in complete obstetric lesions.

Key Points

Assess the long-term functional outcomes and need for secondary interventions following early surgical repair of complete obstetric brachial plexus injuries.
Followed a long-term cohort of 73 infants surgically treated between 1978 and 1994 for complete obstetric brachial plexus lesions from a total series of 723 operated infants.
Assessed patients across a mean follow-up duration of 6.4 years to evaluate limb function and document secondary surgical procedures.
Useful hand function was achieved in 75% of patients after 8 years of follow-up, even in cases with lower root avulsion injuries.
Shoulder and elbow recovery was less successful compared to outcomes typically achieved in upper-type brachial plexus lesions.
A total of 123 secondary operations were required across the cohort, predominantly targeting shoulder reconstruction.

Structured PICO

Does early exploration and repair improve functional outcomes in babies with complete obstetric brachial plexus lesions?

Population

73 babies with complete obstetric brachial plexus lesions (complete paralyses and associated root ruptures and avulsions) operated on from 1978 to 1994.

Intervention

Early exploration and repair of the obstetric plexus.

Outcome

Functional results at the level of the hand, shoulder, and elbow.

Early exploration and repair of complete obstetric brachial plexus lesions yields encouraging long-term hand function, despite the frequent need for secondary shoulder operations.

Cite This Study

Haerle et al. (2004) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a8261550ebbaf848246c845 https://doi.org/10.1097/00004694-200403000-00012

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Implication

Supports early repair consideration for hand function in severe cases; leaves open confirmation via controlled trials in complete obstetric lesions.

Management of Complete Obstetric Brachial Plexus Lesions

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Structured PICO

Cite This Study

Management of Complete Obstetric Brachial Plexus Lesions

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Structured PICO

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider