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Updated: Jun 17, 2026
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Surface Electromyographic Biofeedback as a Rehabilitation Tool for Patients with Global Brachial Plexus Injury Receiving Bionic Reconstruction
Published on: September 28, 2019
Axillary nerve reconstruction in 176 posttraumatic plexopathy patients.
Julia K Terzis1, Antonia Barmpitsioti
1Norfolk, Va. From the Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and the Microsurgery Program, Eastern Virginia Medical School.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
|January 6, 2010
Summary
Early axillary nerve reconstruction in posttraumatic brachial plexus palsy improves shoulder stability and function. Intraplexus donors and early surgery yield better outcomes for patients with plexopathy.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Reconstructive Surgery
Background:
- Posttraumatic brachial plexus palsy requires shoulder stabilization before distal upper extremity reanimation.
- Axillary nerve reconstruction is crucial for restoring shoulder function.
- This study presents experience with axillary nerve reconstruction in posttraumatic plexopathy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present surgical experience with axillary nerve reconstruction in 148 patients with posttraumatic plexopathy.
- To assess functional outcomes after axillary nerve reconstruction.
- To correlate outcomes with severity score, denervation time, and donor nerve type.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 176 patients undergoing axillary nerve reconstruction by a single surgeon (1978-2006).
- Analysis of 148 patients with >24 months follow-up.
- Utilized intraplexus (94) and extraplexus (55) donors, axillary-to-axillary repair (13), microneurolysis (15), interposition nerve grafts (140), and suprascapular nerve neurotization (135).
Main Results:
- Good or excellent results achieved in 45.95% of patients.
- Intraplexus donors superior to extraplexus donors for shoulder function.
- Shorter denervation time (<4 months) and lower severity scores correlated with better outcomes.
- Nerve graft length impacted deltoid recovery.
Conclusions:
- Early primary axillary nerve reconstruction provides significant glenohumeral joint stability and functional shoulder range.
- Concomitant suprascapular nerve neurotization enhances shoulder abduction and external rotation outcomes.
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