Evaluation and Diagnostic-Treatment Approaches of Brachial Plexus Injuries in Adults

Brachial plexus injury (BPI), as one of the most devastating injuries in adults, has various negative consequences such as profound functional impairment, debilitating pain, significant mental health consequences, and economic impacts. We aimed to review the evaluation and diagnostic-treatment Approaches of BPI in adults through a review study.

An electronic literature search was completed in Google Scholar, Springer, PubMed, and Science Direct databases from 1980 to 2023. Various keywords related to the purpose such as Brachial plexus, surgical strategy, adult were used.

1.2% of people with multiple traumas had BPIs. BPI is more common in young adult males. For brachial plexus palsy, preoperative evaluation of nerve root avulsion is helpful in surgical planning. . EMG is useful in confirming a diagnosis, localizing the lesion level, estimating the extent of axon loss, and determining whether the lesion is complete. There are different options available for BPI, such as coordinating care, rehabilitation and psychosocial support. In recent times, significant advancements have been made in surgical techniques for nerve repairs.

Although it is often not possible to prevent damage to the brachial plexus, it is possible to reduce the risk of further problems after the injury by taking some measures.