Retrospective Analysis of 20 Patients Affected by Schwannomas in the Upper and Lower Limbs.

Objective To analyze the epidemiological profile and evolution of 20 patients diagnosed with upper- and lower-limb schwannomas. Methods A group of patients was defined for a retrospective evaluation comprising the period between February 2002 and June 2018, in which we studied and evaluated 20 medical records of patients undergoing surgery due to schwannoma; the diagnosis was confirmed by an anatomopathological examination. Results Male and female patients were equally affected. The average age was 50.85 years, ranging from 12 to 77 years. There was a predominance of the upper limb and of the flexor face. The most affected nerve was the ulnar nerve. In total, 6 (30%) patients had transient postoperative complications. No cases of tumor recurrence were identified. Conclusion Schwannoma is a rare and difficult-to-diagnose lesion. It should always be considered as a hypothesis when facing a soft-tissue tumor affecting the limbs. The Tinel sign should be regarded, given its higher correlation with complications. The patients should be informed of the possible postoperative complications, which are frequent but usually transient.

Retrospective Analysis of 20 Patients Affected by Schwannomas in the Upper and Lower Limbs / Análise retrospectiva de 20 pacientes acometidos por schwannoma nos membros superior e inferior

Abstract Objective To analyze the epidemiological profile and evolution of 20 patients diagnosed with upper- and lower-limb schwannomas. Methods A group of patients was defined for a retrospective evaluation comprising the period between February 2002 and June 2018, in which we studied and evaluated 20 medical records of patients undergoing surgery due to schwannoma; the diagnosis was confirmed by an anatomopathological examination. Results Male and female patients were equally affected. The average age was 50.85 years, ranging from 12 to 77 years. There was a predominance of the upper limb and of the flexor face. The most affected nerve was the ulnar nerve. In total, 6 (30%) patients had transient postoperative complications. No cases of tumor recurrence were identified. Conclusion Schwannoma is a rare and difficult-to-diagnose lesion. It should always be considered as a hypothesis when facing a soft-tissue tumor affecting the limbs. The Tinel sign should be regarded, given its higher correlation with complications. The patients should be informed of the possible postoperative complications, which are frequent but usually transient.

Resumo Objetivo Analisar o perfil epidemiológico e a evolução de 20 pacientes diagnosticados com schwannoma nos membros superiores e inferiores. Métodos Definiu-se um grupo de pacientes para avaliação retrospectiva, compreendendo o período entre fevereiro de 2002 e junho de 2018, no qual foram estudados e avaliados 20 prontuários de pacientes submetidos a procedimento cirúrgico devido a schwannoma; a confirmação diagnóstica foi feita pelo exame anatomopatológico. Resultados Tanto os pacientes do sexo masculino quanto do feminino foram igualmente acometidos, e a média de idade foi de 50,85 anos, variando de 12 a 77 anos. Houve predomínio do membro superior e da face flexora. O nervo mais acometido foi o ulnar, e 6 (30%) pacientes apresentaram complicações pós-operatórias transitórias. Não foi identificado nenhum caso de recidiva tumoral. Conclusão O schwannoma é uma lesão rara e de difícil diagnóstico. Deve sempre ser considerada como hipótese quando se estiver diante de um tumor de partes moles acometendo os membros. O sinal de Tinel deve ser levado em consideração por conta de sua maior correlação com as complicações. Os pacientes devem ser informados quanto às possíveis complicações pós-operatórias, que são frequentes, mas, geralmente, transitórias.

Obstetric Paralysis: Who is to blame? A systematic literature review.

Obstetric palsy is classically defined as the brachial plexus injury due to shoulder dystocia or to maneuvers performed on difficult childbirths. In the last 2 decades, several studies have shown that half of the cases of Obstetric palsy are not associated with shoulder dystocia and have raised other possible etiologies for Obstetric palsy. The purpose of the present study is to collect data from literature reviews, classic articles, sentries, and evidence-based medicine to better understand the events involved in the occurrence of Obstetric palsy. A literature review was conducted in the search engine PubMed (MeSH - Medical Subject Headings) with the following keywords: shoulder dystocia and obstetric palsy , completely open, boundless regarding language or date. Later, the inclusion criterion was defined as revisions. A total of 21 review articles associated with the themes described were found until March 8, 2018. Faced with the best available evidence to date, it is well-demonstrated that Obstetric palsy occurs in uncomplicated deliveries and in cesarean deliveries, and there are multiple factors that can cause it, relativizing the responsibility of obstetricians, nurses, and midwives. The present study aims to break the paradigms that associate Obstetric palsy compulsorily with shoulder dystocia, and that its occurrence necessarily implies negligence, malpractice or recklessness of the team involved.

Obstetric Paralysis: Who is to blame? A systematic literature review / Paralisia obstétrica: De quem é a culpa? Uma revisão sistemática de literatura

Abstract Obstetric palsy is classically defined as the brachial plexus injury due to shoulder dystocia or to maneuvers performed on difficult childbirths. In the last 2 decades, several studies have shown that half of the cases of Obstetric palsy are not associated with shoulder dystocia and have raised other possible etiologies for Obstetric palsy. The purpose of the present study is to collect data from literature reviews, classic articles, sentries, and evidence-based medicine to better understand the events involved in the occurrence of Obstetric palsy. A literature review was conducted in the search engine PubMed (MeSH - Medical Subject Headings) with the following keywords: shoulder dystocia and obstetric palsy, completely open, boundless regarding language or date. Later, the inclusion criterion was defined as revisions. A total of 21 review articles associated with the themes described were found until March 8, 2018. Faced with the best available evidence to date, it is well-demonstrated that Obstetric palsy occurs in uncomplicated deliveries and in cesarean deliveries, and there are multiple factors that can cause it, relativizing the responsibility of obstetricians, nurses, and midwives. The present study aims to break the paradigms that associate Obstetric palsy compulsorily with shoulder dystocia, and that its occurrence necessarily implies negligence, malpractice or recklessness of the team involved.

Resumo A paralisia obstétrica é classicamente definida como a lesão do plexo braquial decorrente da distócia de ombros ou das manobras executadas no parto difícil. Nas 2 últimas décadas, vários estudos comprovaram que metade dos casos de paralisia obstétrica não estão associados à distócia de ombros e levantaram outras possíveis etiologias para a paralisia obstétrica. O objetivo do presente trabalho é colher dados da literatura de revisão, artigos clássicos, sentinelas e da medicina baseada em evidências para compreender melhor os eventos envolvidos na ocorrência de paralisia obstétrica. Foi realizada uma revisão da literatura no motor de busca da PubMed (MeSH - Medical Subject Headings) com as seguintes palavras-chave: shoulder dystocia and obstetric palsy, completamente aberto, sem limites de língua ou data. Posteriormente, definimos como critério de inclusão artigos de revisão. Encontramos 21 artigos de revisão com associação dos temas descritos até 8 de março de 2018. Frente às melhores evidências existentes até o momento, está bem demonstrado que a paralisia obstétrica ocorre em partos não complicados e em partos cesáreos, e são múltiplos os fatores que podem causá-la, relativizando a responsabilidade de médicos obstetras, enfermeiras e parteiras. Procuramos, com o presente estudo, quebrar os paradigmas de que paralisia obstétrica se associa obrigatoriamente à distócia de ombros e que a sua ocorrência necessariamente implica em negligência, imperícia ou imprudência da equipe envolvida.