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Surgical treatment of birth-related brachial plexus injuries: a historical review

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Abstract

This historical review presents the relevant data about the evolution of the surgical treatment of neonatal brachial plexus palsy. Starting with the first clinical description by Smellie in 1754, we will present the initial enthusiasm for the surgery followed by a lack of interest that lasted many years, the resurgence of interest in operative management in the 1970s, and the consolidation in the 1980s of surgery as the standard indication in cases of neonatal brachial plexus palsy without a functional spontaneous recovery.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Dr. Lynda Yang of the University of Michigan, for her assistance in searching for some of the historical data used in preparing this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Peripheral Nerve Surgery Unit, Division of Functional Neurosurgery, Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Mario G. Siqueira, Carlos Otto Heise & Roberto S. Martins

  2. Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Carlos Otto Heise

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  1. Mario G. Siqueira
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  2. Carlos Otto Heise
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  3. Roberto S. Martins
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Correspondence to Mario G. Siqueira.

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Siqueira, M.G., Heise, C.O. & Martins, R.S. Surgical treatment of birth-related brachial plexus injuries: a historical review. Childs Nerv Syst 36, 1859–1868 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-020-04685-5

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