Preliminary experiences with brachial plexus exploration in children: birth injury and vehicular trauma

The application of microsurgical techniques to the peripheral nervous system has made possible the reconstruction of the brachial plexus after vehicular and penetrating injuries. We now report our preliminary experiences utilizing these same techniques in the microsurgical management of brachial plexus birth injury. In contrast to other authors and in distinction from our own experiences with vehicular trauma in children, we did not find lesions requiring reconstruction by grafting or neurotization in any of seven plexus explorations for birth injury. The history of the surgical management of brachial plexus birth injury is reviewed, and the rationale for exploration is developed in the context of the natural history of the condition. Differences between our experiences and the existing literature are analyzed, with particular regard for timing of operation and technique of intraoperative assessment of nerve injury. All children with birth injuries of the brachial plexus require careful, repeated neurological evaluation during the first few months of life. Although the great majority make a rapid and satisfactory spontaneous recovery, the minority who do not recover are destined to suffer significant, life-long disability. Microsurgical brachial plexus exploration may benefit this select group of patients.