Functional outcome of spinal accessory nerve transfer to the suprascapular nerve to restore shoulder function: Results in upper and complete traumatic brachial plexus palsy in adults.

BACKGROUND

Shoulder stability, abduction and external rotation are vital for the performance of usual daily tasks.

AIMS: To compare the functional outcomes in the shoulder following spinal accessory to suprascapular nerve transfer (SASNT).

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Comparison of the outcome of adult patients with upper traumatic brachial plexus palsy undergoing SASNT with patients with complete palsy submitted to the same procedure.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Ranges of motion were compared via the Mann-Whitney U test. The percentages of patients with a favorable outcome were compared by the chi-square test. All tests were two-tailed and P values <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

SASNT was performed in 76 patients: 23 cases (30.2%) of upper-plexus injuries and 53 cases (69.7%) of complete brachial plexus palsy. Good shoulder abduction was achieved in 15 patients (65.2%) with upper plexus palsy and a good external rotation in 5 (21.7%). In those patients with a good recovery, the average range of motion (ROM) was 53° for shoulder abduction and 71.2° for external rotation. Thirty-six patients (67.9%) with complete palsy had a good shoulder abduction recovery with 30.7° of average ROM, but only 3 patients (5.6%) recovered a good shoulder external rotation with 68.3° of average ROM. There was no statistical difference for the abduction outcome, but the external rotation outcome was superior in the upper plexus palsy group.

CONCLUSION

SASNT is a consistent procedure to achieve functional recovery of shoulder abduction after a partial or complete plexus injury, but the outcomes of external rotation were quite disappointing in both the groups.