Neurolysis of the conducting neuroma-in-continuity in perinatal brachial plexus palsy - evaluation of the results of surgical treatment.

UNLABELLED The aim of the study was to evaluate the surgical treatment results of cases of perinatal brachial plexus palsy with presence of neuroma-in-continuity. Clinical material included 21 children, aged from 3.5 to 36 months, treated surgically between 1996 and 2005. The control examination included 19 children. The shortest postoperative observation period was 4 years. After surgical treatment during clinical evaluation of function dependent on localization of neuroma-in-continuity we observed the following: in upper injury in 1 child good shoulder and elbow function; in upper-middle injuries with neuroma-in-continuity in upper trunk good elbow function in 66.6%, good shoulder function in 83.3% of cases; in upper-middle injuries with neuroma-in-continuity in upper and middle trunk in 1 examined child good function of elbow, shoulder, and wrist; in total injuries with neuroma-in-continuity in upper trunk good elbow function in 75%, and good shoulder function in 50% of cases; in total injuries with neuroma-in-continuity in upper and middle trunk good elbow function in 66.6%, good shoulder function in 33.3%, good wrist function in 66.6% of cases; in total injuries with neuroma-in-continuity in lower trunk grade 2 of motor hand function and return of sensibility to a level of S3+. CONCLUSIONS The choice of microsurgical technique during surgical treatment of perinatal brachial plexus palsies with neuroma-in-continuity should be based on the whole clinical and intraoperative view. The best results after neurolysis should be expected when neuroma-in-continuity is localized in the upper trunk, the injury corresponds to third degree on Sunderland's scale, and during electric stimulation a normal motor response can be obtained.