Neurotization for the Restoration of Shoulder Abduction & Elbow Flexion in Brachial Plexus Injury

Journal of the Korean Society for Surgery of the Hand 1999;4(1):81-88.
Published online January 1, 1999.

Kwang Suk Lee,Ki Hoon Kang,Sang Won Han,Ki Hong Lee

상완 신경총 손상후 견관절의 외전 및 주관절의 굴곡 재건을 위한 신경 이전

이광석,강기훈,한상원,이기홍

Abstract

We have performed the operations for the restoration of shoulder abduction and elbow flexion in 17 patients(20 cases of neurotization) of brachial plexus injury at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Korea University Hospital from October 1991 to May 1997. The mean follow-up period was 42 months. After neurotization for brachial plexus injury, functional recovery of shoulder abduction and elbow flexion were good and fair in 65%. In the functional evaluation, the clinical results of whole arm type were poorer than those of upper arm type, and the better results were obtained in the patients who were operated within the first six months after injury.