Abstract

MARTINEZ, Fernando; PINAZZO, Samantha; SUAREZ, Elizabeth  and  MORAGUES, Rodrigo. Traumatic brachial plexus injuries in Uruguay: clinical and epidemiological study of 50 patients. Rev. Urug. Med. Int. [online]. 2016, vol.1, n.3, pp.69-75. ISSN 2393-6797.

Introduction: Brachial plexus injuries are infrequent, but are devastating for the functionality of the upper limb. The authors present a retrospective series of 50 patients evaluated clinically by a rehabilitation and neurosurgery team.                                                          Results: Our series comprises of 42 men and 8 women aged between 8 and 70 years at the time of injury. About 60% of patients were 25 years or younger at the time of injury and 90% suffered a blunt trauma. Over 70% of accidents involved the use of motorcycles and 50% of patients had a complete lesion (C5-T1). With reference to the type of injury, 83% of patients with Erb type injuries (C5-C6) change the clinical status in 4 months (partially improved), but only 8% of patients with complete lesions (C5-T1) change the clinical status (very partially improved).   Conclusion: This type of injury severely affects the functionality of the upper limbs of young individuals and therefore should be optimized diagnosis and treatment. Given its evolution, pre surgical times must be shortened in complete brachial plexus injuries.

Keywords : Brachial plexus; Trauma; Peripheral nerve injury.

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