Team Approach: Management of Brachial Plexus Injuries

Traumatic brachial plexus injuries are relatively rare but potentially devastating injuries with substantial functional, psychological, and economic consequences.

Prompt referral (ideally within 6 weeks of injury) to a center with a team of experts experienced in the diagnosis and management of these injuries is helpful to achieving optimal outcomes.

Preoperative and intraoperative decision-making to diagnose and plan reconstructive procedures is complex and must take into account a number of factors, including the time from injury, concomitant injuries, preservation of cervical nerve roots, and the availability of intraplexal and extraplexal donor nerves for nerve transfer.

A team approach is essential to ensure accurate localization of the pathology before surgery and to maximize rehabilitation after surgery, necessitating close contact between the surgical team, physiatrists, radiologists, and therapists.