Comparative analysis of the methods of an all-endoscopic brachial plexus decompression and a mini-invasive endoscopically-assisted technique for management of patients with traumatic brachioplexopathy

Abstract

Introduction As reported, brachioplexopathy is a relevant polyetiological disease with an annual incidence from 0.17 to 1.6 per 100,000. There are two basic endoscopic methods of brachial plexus decompression: an endoscopically-assisted mini-invasive transaxillary approach and fully endoscopic decompression in association with shoulder arthroscopy. Purpose Compare the two main endoscopic methods of brachial plexus decompression. Material and methods Twenty-two patients diagnosed with post-traumatic brachioplexopathy were included in the study. There were 8 patients in group 1 and 14 patients in group 2. All patients passed clinical and instrumental examination. Statistical analysis was performed with non-parametric U-criteria of Mann – Whitney. Differences were considered significant at p 0.05). Discussion The results of our study are similar to the results of endoscopic brachial plexus decompression in the previously published studies. Conclusion The methods of endoscopic brachial plexus decompression in association with shoulder joint arthroscopy and isoolated mini-invasive neurolysis and decompression of brachial plexus under videoendoscopic assistance are equally effective in the treatment of brachialplexopathy.

Keywords

• brachioplexopathy
• decompression
• neurolysis
• endoscopy
• arthroscopy
• shoulder joint
• thoracic outlet syndrome