Comparing the Surgical Outcomes of Modified Quad and Triangle Tilt Surgeries to other Procedures Performed in Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injury

Rahul K. Nath, Juan-Carlos Pretto, Chandra Somasundaram

Texas Nerve and Paralysis Institute, Houston, USA.

DOI: 10.4236/ss.2013.49A003                

Abstract

Purpose: To compare results from our surgical treatment experiences in children with obstetric brachial plexus injuries (OBPI), to those who have had other surgical treatments. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study in our medical records consisting of two groups of OBPI patients. Group 1: 26 OBPI children (16 girls and 10 boys), age range between 2.0 and 12.0 (mean age 6.9), who have undergone surgical treatments at other institutions between 2005 and 2010. Group 2: 45 OBPI children (20 boys and 25 girls), age between 0.7 and 12.9 (mean age 3.7), who have had modified Quad and triangle tilt surgical treatment between 2005 and 2010 at our institution. In both groups Mean modified Mallet scores and radiological scores were measured and compared. All measurements were made at least one year post surgery in both groups. Results: Post-operative mean modified Mallet score was 11.8 ± 2.4 in group 1 patients, whereas post-mean modified Mallet score was 20 ± 2.7 (P < 0.0001) following modified Quad and triangle tilt surgeries in group 2 patients. Further, their radiological scores such as posterior subluxation, and glenoid version were 13.4 ± 21.3 and ﹣30.2 ± 19.1 in group 1, whereas 32.1 ±13.5 (P < 0.0004), and ﹣16.3 ± 11.5 (P < 0.008) in group 2 patients, when compared to normal values of 50, and 0 respectively. Conclusion: Patients who have had mod Quad and triangle tilt for OBPI obtained significantly better functional outcomes in modified total Mallet score as well as in radiological scores, when compared to those OBPI children, who underwent other procedures such as posterior glenohumeral capsulorrhaphy, biceps tendon lengthening, humeral osteotomy, anterior capsule release, nerve transfer/graft, botox and muscle/tendon transfer and release.

Keywords

Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injury; Triangle Tilt Surgery; Modified Quad Surgery; Modified Mallet; Radiological Score

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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