RESUMO
Objective:To explore the advantages and value for clinical application of clavicle segment osteotomy approach with pectoralis major muscle pedicle in surgical resection of posterior brachial plexus tumour.Methods:From April 2010 to December 2020, 6 patients with brachial plexus tumour behind the clavicle were treated. Two patients had the tumour on the left brachial plexus and 4 on the right. Two patients had the tumours located in the upper trunk of brachial plexus, 2 in the middle trunk, 1 in the medial plexus and 1 in the posterior bundle. The neurological function evaluation were grade II in 3 cases and grade III in 1 case preoperatively. The tumours sized from 3.0 cm× 3.0 cm×2.0 cm to 11.0 cm×8.0 cm×6.0 cm. The clavicular segment osteotomy approach with the pedicle of the pectoralis major was applied in order to expose the surgical field and remove the nerve tumour. All patients underwent regular postoperative outpatient clinic follow-up to record the sensation of the affected limb and the recovery of muscle strength, tumour recurrence and fracture healing.Results:In the operation, it was found that there was still a little glial-like tissue in the nerve sheath after complete dissection of the tumours in 2 patients. Postoperative pathological examination reported that there were 4 schwannoma, 1 malignant peripheral schwannoma and 1 neurolipoma. The postoperative follow-up lasted for 6 to 34 months, with an average of 12.8 months. All patients showed no symptoms of brachial plexus injury or tumour recurrence. The clinical symptoms were relieved or disappeared. The neurological function evaluation reached grade III in 5 patients and grade IV in 1 case. At the same time, the internal fixation of the clavicle was satisfactory and achieved bone union in all cases. Fracture healing time was 2.5 to 4.5 months, with an average of 3.2 months. The internal fixation was removed from 3 patients after operation in 1 year. No obvious limb movement disorder and periarthritis of shoulder and other complications occurred.Conclusion:The transclavicular osteotomy approach with the pedicle of the pectoralis major can fully expose the anatomical alignment of the brachial plexus and the relationship adjacent and between the tumour and the surrounding tissues in the surgery for a brachial plexus tumour behind the clavicle, which is helpful for a complete tumour resection. It is a feasible method to treat brachial plexus tumour behind the clavicle by finding residual tumour-like tissue, reducing the risk of surgery and tumour recurrence, and providing excellent blood supply to the osteotomy segment of the clavicle to promote fracture healing.