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Obstetric brachial plexus palsy: reviewing the literature comparing the results of primary versus secondary surgery

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Abstract

Obstetric brachial plexus injuries (OBPP) are a relatively common stretch injury of the brachial plexus that occurs during delivery. Roughly 30 % of patients will not recover completely and will need a surgical repair. Two main treatment strategies have been used: primary surgery, consisting in exploring and reconstructing the affected portions of the brachial plexus within the first few months of the patient’s life, and secondary procedures that include tendon or muscle transfers, osteotomies, and other orthopedic techniques. Secondary procedures can be done as the only surgical treatment of OBPP or after primary surgery, in order to minimize any residual deficits. Two things are crucial to achieving a good outcome: (1) the appropriate selection of patients, to separate those who will spontaneously recover from those who will recover only partially or not at all; and (2) a good surgical technique. The objective of the present review is to assess the published literature concerning certain controversial issues in OBPP, especially in terms of the true current state of primary and secondary procedures, their results, and the respective roles each plays in modern-day treatment of this complex pathology. Considerable published evidence compiled over decades of surgical experience favors primary nerve surgery as the initial therapeutic step in patients who do not recover spontaneously, followed by secondary surgeries for further functional improvement. As described in this review, the results of such treatment can greatly ameliorate function in affected limbs. For best results, multi-disciplinary teams should treat these patients.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Peripheral Nerve & Brachial Plexus Unit, University of Buenos Aires School of Medicine, La Pampa 1175 5 A, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Mariano Socolovsky

  2. Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital de León, León, Spain

    Javier Robla Costales

  3. Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital Carlos Haya, Malaga, Spain

    Miguel Domínguez Paez

  4. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Peripheral Nerve & Brachial Plexus Unit, University of Buenos Aires School of Medicine, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Gustavo Nizzo

  5. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hospital de Alta Complejidad en Red El Cruce, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Sebastian Valbuena

  6. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hospital Ricardo Gutierrez, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Ernesto Varone

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  1. Mariano Socolovsky
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  2. Javier Robla Costales
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  3. Miguel Domínguez Paez
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  4. Gustavo Nizzo
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  5. Sebastian Valbuena
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  6. Ernesto Varone
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Correspondence to Mariano Socolovsky.

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Socolovsky, M., Costales, J.R., Paez, M.D. et al. Obstetric brachial plexus palsy: reviewing the literature comparing the results of primary versus secondary surgery. Childs Nerv Syst 32, 415–425 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-015-2971-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-015-2971-4

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