Mechanisms, Treatment, and Patient Outcome of Iatrogenic Injury to the Brachial Plexus-A Retrospective Single-Center Study.

BACKGROUND

Injury to the brachial plexus is a devastating condition, with severe impairment of upper extremity function resulting in distinct disability. There are no systematic reports on epidemiology, causative mechanisms, treatment strategies. or outcomes of iatrogenic brachial plexus injury (iBPI).

METHODS

We screened all cases of iatrogenic nerve injuries recorded between 2007 and 2017 at a single specialized institution. Mechanism of iBPI, type of previous causative intervention, location and type of the lesion as well as the type of revision surgery and functional patient outcome were analyzed.

RESULTS

We identified 14 cases of iBPI, which all presented with significant impairment of upper extremity motor function (at least 1 muscle Medical Research Council grade 0). Neuropathic pain was present in most patients (11/14). Orthopedic shoulder procedures such as rotator cuff fixation, arthroplasty, and repositioning of a clavicle fracture accounted for iBPI in 7 of 14 patients. Other reasons for iBPI were resection or biopsy of a peripheral nerve sheath tumor in 3 patients or lymph node situated at the cervicomediastinal area in 2 patients. Mechanisms also included transaxillary rib resection in one and sternotomy in another patient. The treatment of iBPI was conducted according to each individual's needs and included neurolysis in 4, nerve grafting in 9, and nerve transfers in 1 patient. We found improved symptoms after treatment in most patients (11/14).

CONCLUSIONS

Most common causes for iBPI were shoulder surgery and resection or biopsy of peripheral nerve sheath tumor and lymph nodes. Early referral to specialized peripheral nerve centers may help to improve functional patient outcome.