Comparison of short-term surgical outcomes of patients with closed brachial plexus traction injury

Abstract

Brachial plexus traction injury is common and is an important socioeconomic issue with surgical outcomes being essential for neurosurgery, neurology, trauma, orthopaedic and rehabilitation specialists. The objective was to compare short-term surgical outcomes in patients with closed brachial plexus traction injuries. Material and methods The study involved 61 patients with closed brachial plexus traction injuries who were divided into two homogeneous groups according to sex, age and severity of neurological deficit. Patients of Group I (n = 33) underwent microsurgical neurolysis as a surgical treatment and patients of Group II (n = 28) underwent microsurgical neurolysis in combination with single-level electrical stimulation. Clinical and functional status of the upper limb was assessed in dynamics using scales and electrophysiological monitoring. Results Short-term results of surgical treatment were significantly better in Group II compared to Group I. Discussion A more apparent recovery of the upper limb function was observed in patients of Group II that indicated advantages of microsurgical neurolysis in combination with electrical stimulation to repair closed brachial plexus traction injuries. Conclusion The combination of microsurgical neurolysis and single-level electrical stimulation improves short-term surgical outcomes of patients with closed brachial plexus traction injuries due to a faster pain relief in the postoperative period and positive dynamics in clinical and electrophysiological parameters.

Keywords

• brachial plexus
• traction injury
• surgical management
• electric stimulation