TY - JOUR
T1 - Brachial plexus injury
T2 - Long-term functional outcome is determined by associated scapulothoracic dissociation
AU - Riess, Kevin P.
AU - Cogbill, Thomas H.
AU - Patel, Nirav Y.
AU - Lambert, Pamela J.
AU - Mathiason, Michelle A.
PY - 2007/11/1
Y1 - 2007/11/1
N2 - BACKGROUND: Trauma to the brachial plexus may result in devastating neurologic dysfunction associated with musculoskeletal and vascular injuries. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with unilateral brachial plexus injury caused by blunt trauma treated at a single institution were identified and divided into two subgroups: those with isolated brachial plexus injury (ISOL) (n = 18, 62%); and those with associated scapulothoracic dissociation (SD) (n = 11, 38%). Hospital and outpatient records for each patient were retrospectively reviewed, and long-term outcome was determined by use of an 18-question telephone survey. RESULTS: Mean injury severity score for the ISOL group was 8, versus 22 for the SD group (p = 0.002). Mean length of hospital stay for the ISOL group was 1.9 days, versus 19.8 days in the SD group (p = 0.002). At 9-month follow-up, 11 ISOL patients (61%) had complete neurologic recovery, versus no SD patients (p = 0.001). Nineteen patients (68%) completed telephone surveys, including 12 (67%) ISOL patients and 7 (64%) SD patients. When contacted by phone (median = 60 months), all 12 ISOL patients reported that they could carry 5 pounds of weight with the affected extremity, versus only 4 (57%) SD patients reported the same (p = 0.036). Mean muscle strength at the shoulder was rated 4.1 in ISOL patients, versus 2.3 in SD patients (p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Most patients with ISOL experienced excellent long-term functional outcome. However, those with associated SD had significant short- and long-term disability.
AB - BACKGROUND: Trauma to the brachial plexus may result in devastating neurologic dysfunction associated with musculoskeletal and vascular injuries. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with unilateral brachial plexus injury caused by blunt trauma treated at a single institution were identified and divided into two subgroups: those with isolated brachial plexus injury (ISOL) (n = 18, 62%); and those with associated scapulothoracic dissociation (SD) (n = 11, 38%). Hospital and outpatient records for each patient were retrospectively reviewed, and long-term outcome was determined by use of an 18-question telephone survey. RESULTS: Mean injury severity score for the ISOL group was 8, versus 22 for the SD group (p = 0.002). Mean length of hospital stay for the ISOL group was 1.9 days, versus 19.8 days in the SD group (p = 0.002). At 9-month follow-up, 11 ISOL patients (61%) had complete neurologic recovery, versus no SD patients (p = 0.001). Nineteen patients (68%) completed telephone surveys, including 12 (67%) ISOL patients and 7 (64%) SD patients. When contacted by phone (median = 60 months), all 12 ISOL patients reported that they could carry 5 pounds of weight with the affected extremity, versus only 4 (57%) SD patients reported the same (p = 0.036). Mean muscle strength at the shoulder was rated 4.1 in ISOL patients, versus 2.3 in SD patients (p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Most patients with ISOL experienced excellent long-term functional outcome. However, those with associated SD had significant short- and long-term disability.
KW - Brachial plexus injury
KW - Scapulothoracic dissociation
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U2 - 10.1097/01.ta.0000233764.54922.55
DO - 10.1097/01.ta.0000233764.54922.55
M3 - Article
C2 - 17993946
AN - SCOPUS:36048958184
SN - 0022-5282
VL - 63
SP - 1021
EP - 1025
JO - Journal of Trauma - Injury, Infection and Critical Care
JF - Journal of Trauma - Injury, Infection and Critical Care
IS - 5
ER -