External neurolysis may result in early return of function in some muscle groups following brachial plexus surgery. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2012 Jul;114(6):768-75
Date
01/25/2012Pubmed ID
22269646DOI
10.1016/j.clineuro.2011.12.035Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84862011019 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 6 CitationsAbstract
A retrospective chart review, of those individuals seen and operated on by the Multidisciplinary Brachial Plexus Clinic team at the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center, was undertaken to determine those individuals who had early return-of-function following surgery for BPI. Seven patients met our criteria, with four of them having substantial improvement of two or more points gained on the MRC rating scale, in one or more muscle groups within six to eight weeks after surgery. Those patients with return-of-function earlier than expected for axonal regrowth from nerve transfer or grafting, had evidence for continuity but no significant reinnervation before surgery in the muscle groups that improved. We theorize that this early improvement is related to a compression-induced dysfunction which inhibited reinnervation and was relieved by performing external neurolysis.
Author List
Swartz KR, Boland M, Fee DBAuthors
Dominic B. Fee MD Vice Chair, Professor in the Neurology department at Medical College of WisconsinKarin R. Swartz MD Assistant Dean, Professor in the Neurosurgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Accidents, TrafficAction Potentials
Adult
Axons
Brachial Plexus
Child
Female
Humans
Male
Microsurgery
Middle Aged
Muscle Strength
Nerve Transfer
Neural Conduction
Neurologic Examination
Neurosurgical Procedures
Postoperative Care
Range of Motion, Articular
Recovery of Function
Tissue Adhesions
Young Adult
