Neurológia pre prax 4/2019
Reconstruction possibilities of injured brachial plexus
Surgical management of brachial plexus (BP) injuries has achieved significant evolution throughout the last decades. Currently, primary techniques of BP reconstruction (grafting, neurotization) along with secondary correction procedures (tendon transfers, free functional muscle transfers, arthrodesis, other bone/joint procedures), allow a high degree of functional recovery of the disabled limbs. The main requirement for achieving ideal therapeutic results, is a complex approach by a team of experienced specialists, tailored to each individual patient accordingly. Adequately planned long-term postoperative care is a crucial component of the therapeutic process. Although patients with severe cases of BP injury have little chance regaining full physical function, even minor functional improvement of the paretic limb results in major improvement in overall quality of life.
Keywords: brachial plexus injury, microsurgical reconstruction, grafting, nerve transfer, secondary correction
