Shoulder Function Following Late Neurolysis and Bypass Grafting for Upper Brachial Plexus Birth Injuries

Eleven children ranging in age from 9 to 21 months underwent late nerve reconstruction for persistent shoulder paralysis following an upper brachial plexus birth injury. Only neurolysis was performed in three patients. Neurolysis and nerve grafting bypassing the neuroma with proximal and distal end-to-side repairs was performed in the other eight. All patients were followed for 2 or more years. Two patients underwent a secondary procedure before their final follow-up evaluation. All infants demonstrated significant improvement when assessed by a modified Gilbert shoulder motion scale.