Surgical Strategy in Obstetric Brachial Plexus Palsy: The Aachen Experience

ABSTRACT

We present our personal experience with 650 children suffering from obstetric brachial plexus palsy. We describe the related surgery including early microsurgical nerve reconstruction and later tendon and muscle transfers. We discuss our clinical approach, the indications and timing for surgery, the technical details of primary and secondary surgery in our hands, and the possible outcome. We emphasize that both clinical work and research work need an interdisciplinary team approach and that diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic improvement is based on the refinements of our (micro)surgical skill and the continuous exchange of information between specialized centers.

KEYWORDS

Obstetric brachial plexus palsy - microsurgery - tendon/muscle transfers - cocontraction - movement analysis

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