Muscle transfers in children and adults improve external rotation in cases of obstetrical brachial plexus paralysis: a comparative study

Clinical Outcome of Lower Trapezius Muscle Transfer in Birth Brachial Plexus Palsy

BACKGROUND

Birth brachial plexus palsy (BBPP) can severely impair shoulder function by restricting external rotation and abduction, often leading to posterior subluxation or dislocation. Progressive shoulder dysplasia, a secondary condition of BBPP, further exacerbates functional disability by limiting shoulder function. Several techniques have been developed to address these challenges, including microsurgery, muscle transfer, and bony procedures. Recent reports on lower trapezius muscle transfer to the infraspinatus footprint demonstrate promising results in restoring shoulder biomechanics in adults. In this study, we aimed to treat patients younger than 7 years with BBPP through lower trapezius muscle transfer without allograft support.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between 2014 and 2018, 15 patients with BBPP and impaired shoulder external rotation and/or abduction (mean age, 22 months; range: 10 to 41 months) underwent lower trapezius muscle transfer surgery at our institution. A glenoid osteotomy was performed in patients without concentric joints, followed by the transfer of the lower trapezius muscle to the footprint of the infraspinatus. Patients were followed for an average of 25 months (range: 14 to 46 months). Outcomes assessed included shoulder external rotation, shoulder abduction, hand-to-mouth, hand-to-back, hand-to-neck, and Mallet scores.

RESULTS

Significant improvements were observed in hand-to-mouth, hand-to-neck, global shoulder abduction, global shoulder external rotation, and total Mallet scores (P < 0.01). A nonsignificant decrease in hand-to-back was noted (P > 0.05). Both shoulder external rotation and abduction increased significantly (P < 0.01). No complications were reported after the muscle transfer procedure.

DISCUSSION

Lower trapezius muscle transfer to the infraspinatus footprint markedly improves shoulder external rotation and abduction in children younger than 7 years without adverse effects on daily activities. This procedure is an effective treatment option for patients who present outside the optimal window for nerve transfer.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV; Case Series; Treatment Study.

Long-term functional outcome of secondary shoulder surgery in brachial plexus birth palsy patients

Multiple secondary surgical procedures of the shoulder, such as soft-tissue releases, tendon transfers, and osteotomies, are described in brachial plexus birth palsy (BPBP) patients. The long-term functional outcomes of these procedures described in the literature are inconclusive. We aimed to analyze the literature looking for a consensus on treatment options. A systematic literature search in healthcare databases (PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane library, CINAHL, and Web of Science) was performed from January 2000 to July 2020, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. The quality of the included studies was assessed with the Cochrane ROBINS-I risk of bias tool. Relevant trials studying BPBP with at least five years of follow-up and describing functional outcome were included. Of 5,941 studies, 19 were included after full-text screening. A total of 15 surgical techniques were described. All studies described an improvement in active external rotation (range 12° to 128°). A decrease in range of motion and Mallet score after long-term (five to 30 years) follow-up compared to short-term follow-up was seen in most studies. The literature reveals that functional outcome increases after different secondary procedures, even in the long term. Due to the poor methodological quality of the included studies and the variations in indication for surgery and surgical techniques described, a consensus on the long-term functional outcome after secondary surgical procedures in BPBP patients cannot be made.

Quantitative assessment of the growth dynamics of the teres major in human fetuses

PURPOSE

The main objective of the study was to examine the use of teres major (TM) as a flap in the pediatric surgeries from an anatomical perspective by: (1) revealing the growth dynamics of the developing TM; (2) assessing the possible interconnecting structures between TM and latissimus dorsi (LD); (3) exposing the innervation patterns of TM in human fetuses.

METHODS

Study was conducted on 50 fetuses (26 females and 24 males), on a mean gestational age of 22.86 ± 3.21 (range 18-30) weeks. All the measurements were collected with a digital caliper and a digital image analysis software. Additionally, structural relations between TM and LD were examined in detail and further classified.

RESULTS

No significant difference of side and sex was detected on TM measurements (p > 0.05). Linear functions for the surface area, width, length of the superior and inferior margins of TM were detected as follows: y = - 257.142 + 18.334 × age (weeks), y = - 5.497 + 0.545 × age (weeks), y = - 1.621 + 1.068 × age (weeks), and y = - 2.147 + 1.284 × age (weeks), respectively. As classified in five types, a number of 33 muscular or tendinous connections between TM and LD were detected. Musculo-tendinous slips from TM to triceps brachii (TB) were evident in four sides. Innervation of TM was observed to be providing by the lower subscapular nerve in all the cases.

CONCLUSION

First, linear functions, representing the developing fetal morphometry obtained by our study can be adapted for estimating the morphometric of this muscle in early childhood. Besides, acknowledging the diverse appointments of TM with the surrounding muscles such as LD and TB may facilitate the prevention of neurovascular structures and the application of surgical procedures during tendon transfers. In brief, our findings are highly potent to bring the attention of pediatric surgeons.

One-bone forearm osteodesis and biceps re-routing to correct severe supination contracture in a paediatric patient with late obstetric brachial plexus palsy

PURPOSE

The one-bone forearm arthrodesis has been performed to change the position of the forearm in children with fixed supination deformity due to upper extremity neurologic deficit. In this article, we present a retrospective review of children with late obstetric brachial plexus palsy who underwent palliative surgery to correct severe supination contracture by one-bone forearm osteodesis and biceps re-routing. This technique has not been described previously.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this retrospective study, four consecutive patients with upper extremity weakness and severe supination contracture who underwent forearm osteodesis in neutral or slight pronation and biceps re-routing. The average age of patients at the time of surgery was 12 years six months (range, 7-14 years).

RESULTS

The average follow-up was one year ten months (range, 1 year 6 months to 2 years 7 months). The rotation of the forearm set in neutral (3 patients) and 15° pronation (1 patient). No patients noted adverse effects on the shoulder, elbow or wrist, and none missed having forearm rotation.

CONCLUSIONS

One-bone forearm osteodesis and biceps re-routing technique should be considered in some patients with fixed forearm supination deformity and concomitant severe pronation deficit. In this group of patients, repositioning the forearm in a more pronated (or less supinated) position may improve the use of that extremity in activities of daily living. The surgical technique is fairly simple and can be done in a single procedure.

Reliability of 3D upper limb motion analysis in children with obstetric brachial plexus palsy

Kinematics, measured by 3D upper limb motion analysis (3D-ULMA), can potentially increase understanding of movement patterns by quantifying individual joint contributions. Reliability in children with obstetric brachial plexus palsy (OBPP) has not been established.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine between session reliability and measurement errors of 3D-ULMA using the acromion method (AM) in children with OBPP.

APPROACH

Ten participants (mean 10 years, range 7-15 years, Narakas classification I-III) completed 3D-ULMA on two occasions, mean interval of 8.6 d (±2.8 d). Kinematic data were captured by a 4-CODA cx1 optoelectronic tracking system. Participants performed three trials of the modified Mallet scale tasks. Local coordinate systems, segment and joint rotations were defined as recommended by the International Society of Biomechanics. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC 2,K) and standard error of measurement (SEM) were calculated for task duration, range and joint angle at point of task achievement (PTA).

MAIN RESULTS

Results indicated poor reliability for spatiotemporal parameters and range. Moderate to excellent reliability at PTA was observed in 19/60 variables (ICC: 0.77-0.98; SEM: 3.5°-10.4°). The Abduction Task had the highest (ICC: 0.79-0.98; SEM: 3.5°-10.3°) with External Rotation the lowest reliability. Glenohumeral and thoracohumeral elevation had the most consistent reliability. Scapular protraction/retraction had consistently poor reliability (ICC: 0-0.72; SEM: 3.5°-10.2°) with axial rotation also poor (ICC: 0.00-0.91; SEM: 6.3°-32.8°). This study determined inconsistent test-retest reliability of 3D-ULMA, using AM, to track dynamic performance of functional tasks in children with OBPP. It is the first study to outline measurement error in this population. This information permits more reliable interpretation of future studies of kinematic patterns in children with OBPP.

Subscapularis Z-lengthening in children with brachial plexus birth palsy loses efficiency at mid-term follow-up: a retrospective cohort study

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate early and mid-term clinical outcomes after isolated subscapularis Z-lengthening in children with shoulder internal rotation contractures resulting from brachial plexus birth palsy.

METHODS

Children with brachial plexus birth palsy treated with subscapularis tendon Z-lengthening from 2001 to 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Over this period, 31 patients were identified. Primary outcome was improvement in Mallet score after surgery, and secondary outcome measures were active range of motion and Mallet sub-scores. Clinical outcomes were collected at three time intervals: pre-operatively, one-year post-operative and at latest follow-up.

RESULTS

After exclusion, 21 patients remained for further analysis. Mean age at surgery was 3.7 years (range, 1.2-8.7), and mean follow-up length was 6.5 years (2.9-9.7). Moderate improvements were found for mean Mallet score, active external rotation, active abduction and hand-to-mouth movement at one year and latest follow-up. However, improvements in active external rotation and Mallet score were not fully maintained at final follow up.

CONCLUSION

Isolated subscapularis Z-lengthening is effective at early follow-up, but results are not maintained at mid-term follow-up.

Results of nerve reconstructions in treatment of obstetrical brachial plexus injuries

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the results achieved using various surgical techniques in patients with partial and total obstetrical brachial plexus palsy.

METHODS

From 2000 to 2013, 33 patients with obstetrical brachial plexus injury underwent surgery. Twenty had follow-up periods greater than 24 months and met the criteria for inclusion in the study. All patients were evaluated using the Active Movement Scale.

RESULTS

The outcomes of different nerve reconstructive procedures including nerve transfers, nerve grafting after neuroma resection and end-to-side neurorrhaphy are presented. The overall success rate in upper plexus birth injury was 80 % in shoulder abduction, 50 % in external rotation and 81.8 % in elbow flexion with median follow-ups of 36 months. Success rate in complete paralysis was 87 % in finger and thumb flexion, 87 % in shoulder abduction and 75 % in elbow flexion; the median follow-up was 46 months. Useful reanimation of the hand was obtained in both patients who underwent end-to-side neurotization.

CONCLUSION

Improved function can be obtained in infants with obstetrical brachial plexus injury with early surgical reconstruction.