Long‐term results of primary repair of brachial plexus lesions in children

The results of brachial plexus reconstruction in adults are poor, despite the sophistication of the various methods used. However, the same methods used in neonates after obstetrical brachial plexus injury will give far better results because of the shorter distance, stronger potential of regeneration, and capacity of brain adaptation. Complete paralyses, associated root ruptures, and avulsions are very severe, and the end results cannot be evaluated before the end of growth. Although the end results show that the shoulder and elbow do not do as well as in upper‐type lesions, the results at the level of the hand are encouraging, showing 75% with useful function after 8 years, even in patients with avulsion injuries of the lower roots. These results demonstrate the value of the early exploration and repair of the obstetric plexus. We also review our series of traumatic brachial plexus palsy in children. The results are poorer than in neonates, where may be related, in part, to a greater percentage of associated lesions in these patients. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2006