Neurotizations by means of the cervical plexus in over 100 patients with from one to five root avulsions of the brachial plexus.

Abstract

In the years 1982-1991, we treated over 100 patients with avulsion of from one to five roots in perinatal (n = 21) and traumatic (n = 81) lesions of the brachial plexus. Based on the clinical diagnosis and the surgical findings, we divided all operated patients into four groups: 1) avulsion of all roots or avulsions and disruption of the rest of the brachial plexus; 2) avulsion and disruption of one to four roots and preservation of some elements of the brachial plexus with fibrotic changes; 3) avulsion and disruption of one to three roots, with some elements showing no macroscopic changes; and 4) children with perinatal brachial plexus palsy. In cases of root avulsion, we performed neurotization from the cervical plexus, the accessory and intercostal nerves. In patients with one to three root avulsions, we have performed selective neurotization for 3 years. The best results were obtained in groups 3 and 4, but some improvement was also noted in the other groups.