Brachial Plexus Birth Injuries: A Critical Analysis Review.

JBJS Rev · Jun 08 2021 · Review

Pulos N, Shaughnessy WJ, Spinner RJ, Shin AY

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

Hand & Upper Extremity Pediatric Orthopaedics

SUMMARY — THE REDUCTIONThis review covers brachial plexus birth injury, noting declining US incidence, serial exam as the standard for guiding early intervention, and the need for nerve grafting/transfer expertise given limited high-quality evidence.
Abstract, as published

»: The incidence of brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI) in the United States is declining and now occurs in <1 per 1,000 births.

»: The gold standard for predicting the need for early intervention remains serial examination.

»: Early treatment of BPBI with reconstructive surgery requires the ability to perform both interposition nerve grafting and nerve transfers.

»: Given the heterogeneity of lesions, the evidence is largely limited to retrospective comparative studies and case series.

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