[Reconstruction of shoulder abduction and external rotation in obstetric brachial plexus palsy]

We evaluated the results of the subscapularis and pectoralis major muscle releases and the transfer of the latissimus dorsi/teres major muscles to the rotator cuff in patients with internal rotation contractures due to obstetric brachial plexus palsy.

Seventy patients (44 boys, 26 girls; mean age 7.6 years; range 2 to 16 years) underwent transfer of the latissimus dorsi/teres major muscles to the rotator cuff. Spinal root involvement was at C5-C6 in 19 patients, at C5-C7 in 16 patients, and at C5-T1 in 35 patients. In 46 patients, the subscapularis muscle was released from the anterior surface of the scapula, and in 55 patients, the pectoralis major muscle was released by fractional tenotomy. The glenohumeral joint was evaluated by anteroposterior direct graphies and axial magnetic resonance scans. According to the Waters-Peljovich grading system, all the patients had type I or type II deformities. Pre- and postoperative range of motion values and Mallet scores were compared. The mean follow-up period was 37.9 months (range 24 to 64 months).

The mean shoulder abduction increased to 132.6 degrees (range 90 degrees to 170 degrees; mean gain 60.3 degrees) and external rotation increased to 81.1 degrees (range 30 degrees to 100 degrees; mean gain 58.7 degrees). The mean postoperative Mallet scores for global abduction and external rotation were 3.9; hand-to-head, to-mouth, and to-back scores were 3.7, 3.4, and 2.5, respectively. No serious complications were seen during the follow-up period.

The results of reconstruction techniques employed in our study show satisfactory increases in shoulder abduction and external rotation in patients with a minimal glenohumeral deformity.