ABSTRACT
A cost-benefit analysis was performed of hypoglossal nerve transfer in six patients with obstetric brachial palsy taking into account the factors donor site morbidity and extent of recovery. Hypoglossal nerve transfer was employed in four children for elbow flexion only; in two patients for elbow flexion as well as for elbow extension. The transfer was part of an extended brachial plexus reconstruction for treatment of obstetric brachial plexus palsy. After a mean post-operative interval of 52 months (SD+/-8.1), two professional speech therapists investigated late donor site morbidity by analyzing elementary and communicative functions. The functional result for the arm was assessed using the Mallet scale and by performing a physical examination. Following hypoglossal nerve transfer, early donor site morbidity was significant causing great anxiety in the parents. Late donor site morbidity consisted of serious oral problems in a number of the children. They also showed clear associated movements in the arm during mouth/tongue activity. Recovery of powerful volitional elbow flexion was achieved in four cases only. We do not believe that the sacrifice of such an important function as exerted by the hypoglossal nerve is balanced by the gain demonstrated in our series.
Subject(s)
Brachial Plexus/injuries , Brachial Plexus/surgery , Nerve Transfer/methods , Paralysis, Obstetric/surgery , Elbow Joint/physiology , Family Health , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Hypoglossal Nerve/transplantation , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Language Development Disorders/etiology , Language Development Disorders/therapy , Male , Recovery of Function , Shoulder Joint/physiology , Speech Therapy , Stress, Psychological/etiology , Tissue and Organ Harvesting/adverse effects , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the results of transfer of pectoral nerves to the musculocutaneous nerve for treatment of obstetric brachial palsy. METHODS: In 25 cases of obstetric brachial palsy (20 after breech deliveries), branches of the pectoral nerve plexus were transferred directly to the musculocutaneous nerve. For all patients, the nerve transfer was part of an extended brachial plexus reconstruction. Results were tested both clinically and with the Mallet scale, at a mean follow-up time of 70 months (standard deviation, 34.3 mo). RESULTS: There were two complete failures, which were attributable to disconnection of the transferred nerve endings. The results after transfer were excellent in 17 cases and fair in 5 cases. Steindler flexorplasty improved elbow flexion for three patients. CONCLUSION: Transfer of pectoral nerves to the musculocutaneous nerve for treatment of obstetric upper brachial palsy may be effective, if the specific anatomic features of the pectoral nerve plexus are sufficiently appreciated.
