Neurolysis of the conducting neuroma-in-continuity in perinatal brachial plexus palsy - evaluation of the results of surgical treatment

The aim of the study was to evaluate the surgical treatment results of cases of perinatal brachial plexus palsy with presence of neuroma-in-continuity. Clinical material included 21 children, aged from 3.5 to 36 months, treated surgically between 1996 and 2005. The control examination included 19 children. The shortest postoperative observation period was 4 years. After surgical treatment during clinical evaluation of function dependent on localization of neuroma-in-continuity we observed the following: in upper injury in 1 child good shoulder and elbow function; in upper-middle injuries with neuroma-in-continuity in upper trunk good elbow function in 66.6%, good shoulder function in 83.3% of cases; in upper-middle injuries with neuroma-in-continuity in upper and middle trunk in 1 examined child good function of elbow, shoulder, and wrist; in total injuries with neuroma-in-continuity in upper trunk good elbow function in 75%, and good shoulder function in 50% of cases; in total injuries with neuroma-in-continuity in upper and middle trunk good elbow function in 66.6%, good shoulder function in 33.3%, good wrist function in 66.6% of cases; in total injuries with neuroma-in-continuity in lower trunk grade 2 of motor hand function and return of sensibility to a level of S3+. Conclusions: The choice of microsurgical technique during surgical treatment of perinatal brachial plexus palsies with neuroma-in-continuity should be based on the whole clinical and intraoperative view The best results after neurolysis should be expected when neuroma-in-continuity is localized in the upper trunk, the injury corresponds to third degree on Sunderland's scale, and during electric stimulation a normal motor response can be obtained.