[Physiotherapy applied to the upper extremity in 0 to 10-year-old children with obstetric brachial palsy: a systematic review]. / Fisioterapia aplicada en la extremidad superior a niños de 0 a 10 años con parálisis braquial obstétrica: revisión sistemática.

INTRODUCTION: Obstetric brachial palsy is involved with affected upper limb, resulting in permanent structural and function sequelae that limit the motion articular range and reduce independence in daily activities, as well as the children participation in their natural environment. AIM: To describe the physiotherapy treatments currently used to increase the affected upper limb functionality in children from 0 to 10 years diagnosed with obstetric brachial palsy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A bibliographic search of published studies between 2009 and 2018 was carried out in the PubMed, PEDro, ScienceDirect and The Cochrane Library databases. RESULTS: After applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria, ten studies were obtained with favorable results for the affected upper limb functionality and bone mineralization density, regardless of the technique of choice used during the intervention. The used physiotherapy programs in the different studies such as Constraint Induced movement therapy, kinesiotape, electrotherapy, virtual reality and use of splints or orthotics were analyzed. CONCLUSION: All the described techniques suggest favorable results for the affected upper limb functionality in obstetric brachial palsy from 0 to 10 years.

TITLE: Fisioterapia aplicada en la extremidad superior a niños de 0 a 10 años con parálisis braquial obstétrica: revisión sistemática.Introducción. La parálisis braquial obstétrica cursa con afectación del miembro superior y da lugar a secuelas estructurales y de la función permanentes que limitan el rango articular de movimiento y reducen la independencia en las actividades cotidianas, así como la participación del niño dentro de su entorno natural. Objetivo. Describir los tratamientos de fisioterapia empleados en la actualidad para incrementar la funcionalidad de la extremidad superior afectada en niños de 0 a 10 años diagnosticados de parálisis braquial obstétrica. Pacientes y métodos. Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica de los trabajos publicados entre 2009 y 2018 en las bases de datos PubMed, PEDro, ScienceDirect y Cochrane Library. Resultados. Tras aplicar los criterios de inclusión/exclusión, se obtuvieron diez estudios con resultados favorables para la funcionalidad de la extremidad superior afectada y la densidad de mineralización ósea, independientemente de la técnica de elección utilizada durante la intervención. Se analizaron los programas de fisioterapia empleados en los diferentes estudios, como la terapia de movimiento inducido por restricción, el kinesiotape, la electroterapia, la realidad virtual y el uso de férulas u ortesis. Conclusión. Todas las técnicas descritas sugieren resultados favorables para la funcionalidad del miembro superior en niños de 0 a 10 años con parálisis braquial obstétrica.

A Review of Brachial Plexus Birth Palsy: Injury and Rehabilitation.

Brachial plexus injuries during the birthing process can leave infants with upper extremity deficits corresponding to the location of the lesion within the complex plexus anatomy. Manifestations can range from mild injuries with complete resolution to severe and permanent disability. Overall, patients have a high rate of spontaneous recovery (66-92%).1,2 Initially, all lesions are managed with passive range motion and observation. Prevention and/or correction of contractures with occupational therapy and serial splinting/casting along with encouraging normal development are the main goals of non-operative treatment. Surgical intervention may be war- ranted, depending on functional recovery. [Full article available at http://rimed.org/rimedicaljournal-2017-11.asp].

Parálisis braquial obstétrica en el contexto de la rehabilitación física temprana / Obstetric brachial plexus palsy in the context of early physical rehabilitation

En la actualidad el sistema de salud cubano promueve el estudio prenatal y el seguimiento del embarazo; a pesar de esto la parálisis braquial obstétrica continúa siendo una consecuencia desafortunada tras un parto difícil y constituye uno de los traumatismos obstétricos más frecuentes. Su tratamiento ha sido tradicionalmente conservador, basado en el seguimiento multidisciplinario y consultas a los distintos especialistas para tratar las secuelas. Luego de realizar una amplia revisión bibliográfica, en este artículo se exponen la etiología, anatomía, fisiopatología, tipos de lesiones, pronóstico y evolución, secuelas, instrumentos de evaluación, tratamientos existentes y ejercicios para la parálisis braquial obstétrica(AU)

Cuban health system currently promotes prenatal testing and monitoring of pregnancy; nevertheless obstetric brachial plexus palsy remains an unfortunate consequence of a difficult delivery and is one of the most common birth trauma. Traditionally, its treatment has been conservative, based on multidisciplinary monitoring and consultations with various specialists to deal with the consequences. After conducting an extensive literature review, we discussed in this paper the etiology, anatomy, pathophysiology, types of injuries, prognosis and outcome, consequences, assessment tools, existing treatments and series of exercises for obstetric brachial plexus palsy(AU)

Isolated lower brachial plexus (Klumpke) palsy with compound arm presentation: case report.

Klumpke palsy has yet to be clearly documented in the newborn, because previous reports lack any description of the obstetrical history, clinical progression, or outcome. Based on a high incidence of breach presentation in the few clinical series that report Klumpke palsy, hyperabduction with arm overhead during delivery has been the presumed mechanism. We report a child with isolated lower brachial plexus palsy and Horner syndrome who presented at birth with a vertex compound arm presentation. Recognition of this condition and details of the clinical progression and outcome are important, because guidelines for management are currently not available.

Shoulder function following primary axillary nerve reconstruction in obstetrical brachial plexus patients.

BACKGROUND: In obstetrical brachial plexus palsy, suprascapular nerve reinnervation is a priority. For the most favorable outcomes in shoulder function, it is the authors' policy to also reconstruct the axillary nerve with intraplexus donors to the posterior cord (early cases) or directly with intraplexus or extraplexus motor donors (late cases). METHODS: Between 1979 and 2003, 80 consecutive patients (82 brachial plexuses) underwent plexus exploration and nerve reconstruction for obstetrical palsy. Axillary nerve reconstruction was performed in 60 plexuses, and evaluation of the results was carried out for 55 patients (56 plexuses) with adequate follow-up (mean follow-up, 6.5 years). RESULTS: Overall, there were good and excellent results (>/=M3+) in 49 of 56 plexuses (87.5 percent) for the deltoid muscle, and the average postoperative muscle grade for the deltoid was 3.89 +/- 0.79. The average shoulder abduction increased from 35 +/- 31 degrees preoperatively to 109 +/- 35 degrees postoperatively (average gain, 74 degrees), and the average external rotation increased from -13 +/- 28 degrees preoperatively to 47 +/- 18 degrees postoperatively (average gain, 60 degrees). The timing of surgery and the type of paralysis significantly influenced the final outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Reconstruction of the axillary nerve should always be performed to maximize the final outcome of shoulder function in obstetrical brachial plexus patients. The best results were seen in early cases (

Estudio retrospectivo de 49 pacientes con parálisis braquial obstétrica: factores de riesgo, incidencia y evolución / Retrospective study of 49 patients with obstetric brachial palsy: risk factors, incidence and evolution

Introducción. La parálisis braquial obstétrica (PBO) es la lesión del plexo braquial en el período neonatal asociada al parto. Objetivos. Conocer la incidencia de PBO en los niños nacidos en el Hospital Materno Infantil de Canarias en los últimos 5 años, estudiar los factores de riesgo de embarazo y parto asociados, revisar la literatura comparando los resultados obtenidos y seguir la evolución de los pacientes. Método. Estudio observacional retrospectivo de todos los pacientes afectos de PBO nacidos entre enero de 2000 y diciembre de 2004. Se recogieron datos de la madre, del recién nacido, tipo de parto y de la lesión, que fueron comparados con el resto de los partos. Análisis estadístico: programa informático SPSS versión 13.0. Se halló la incidencia de PBO por mil nacidos con intervalos de confianza del 95 %. Se analizaron por separado los niños afectos de PBO transitoria (curación antes del año) de los niños afectos de PBO permanente (persistencia al año). Resultados. Se diagnosticaron 49 pacientes afectos de PBO. La incidencia fue de 1,23 ‰. Se encontraron resultados significativos entre la incidencia de PBO y el alto peso al nacimiento, el uso de fórceps, la existencia de test de Apgar y pH inferior al habitual. A los 12 meses un 86 % de los pacientes presentaban movilidad simétrica. Conclusiones. La PBO está relacionada con los factores de riesgo habituales. Los resultados son similares a los encontrados en la literatura. El control de los niños con PBO es primordial para minimizar la aparición de secuelas

Introduction. Obstetric brachial palsy (OBP) is a lesion of the brachial plexus during the neonatal period associated to delivery. Objectives. Know the incidence of OBP in children born in the Materno Infantil University Hospital of the Canary Islands in the last 5 years, study the risk factors of pregnancy and delivery associated to OBP, make a review of the literature in order to compare the results obtained and follow the patient’s evolution. Method. Observational retrospective study of all patients affected by OBP born at our hospital between January 2000 and December 2004. Data of the mother, newborn, type of delivery and lesion were recorded and compared with the rest of deliveries. Statistical analysis: we used the SPSS 13.0 program. Results are expressed as incidence of OBP per thousand, with confidence intervals at 95 %. In addition, children affected by a transitory OBP (those who had been cured before one year) were analyzed separately from those affected by a permanent OBP (with clinical affectation persisting one year later). Results. A total of 49 patients affected by OBP were diagnosed. Incidence was 1.23 ‰. Statistically significant results were found between OBP incidence and high birth weight, use of forceps and the existence of Apgar’s test and pH with lower than usual scores. At 12 months 86 % of the patients presented symmetric mobility. No cases of distal palsies were found. Conclusions. Brachial plexus lesions are related to the common risk factors. The results are similar to those found in the literature. Control of children with OBP is essential to minimize the appearance of sequelae

Secondary reanimation procedures in late obstetrical brachial plexus palsy patients.

The varying degrees of spontaneous reinnervation that occur in untreated obstetrical brachial plexus palsy leave characteristic deformities of the shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand. Common sequelae are internal rotation and adduction deformity of the shoulder, elbow flexion contractures, forearm supination deformity, and lack of wrist extension and finger flexion. Early microsurgical reconstruction of the affected plexus leads to a more rewarding overall function of the upper arm, but residual deformities might appear later which are similar, although less serious, than those observed in untreated cases. Secondary procedures of the shoulder, elbow, forearm, and hand will improve the appearance and function of the upper extremity in late cases of obstetrical brachial plexus. Careful preoperative planning is mandatory and a multistage approach should be applied, depending on the type of palsy and the age of the patient.

[Treatment of early and late obstetric brachial plexus palsy]. / Vaiku peties nervinio rezginio pazeidimo ir jo sukeltu padariniu gydymas.

The aim of this study was to review and to analyze treatment patterns of early and late obstetric brachial plexus palsy. Eighty-one children with early and late obstetric brachial plexus palsy were treated in the Department of Pediatric Orthopedics and in the Postintensive Care Unit within the period 1988-2002. Children were classified into 2 groups according to age: Ist group (67 newborns) was treated conservatively, and IInd group (14 children with late obstetric brachial plexus palsy with deformity) underwent operative treatment. Active hand movements and innervation were evaluated before and after treatment. Thirty newborns had full recovery, 32 newborns had incomplete recovery, and in 5 cases no improvement was seen. Fourteen children with late obstetric brachial plexus palsy underwent the following operations: rotation osteotomy of the humerus was performed in 10 cases, lengthening of biceps and brachialis muscle tendons--in 6 cases, transposition of triceps muscle tendon--in 1 case, transposition of pectoralis major tendon--in 3 cases and flexor carpi transposition--in 1 case. There was an improvement in active hand movements after operative treatment and rehabilitation. According to our experience, in most cases newborns recover spontaneously or after conservative treatment. Secondary reconstructive surgery of late brachial plexus palsy can improve the condition of these patients.

Different methods and results in the treatment of obstetrical brachial plexus palsy.

Mallet's test was used to evaluate shoulder and elbow functional results following conservative treatment, neurolysis, and nerve transfer and grafting in 31 patients with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy, who had no recovery of biceps contraction by 3 months of age. Twelve of them had been treated conservatively for 3 to 4 years. Nine patients with upper trunk conducting neuromas underwent neurolysis at the age of 4 to 6 months. Nerve transfer and grafting were performed in 10 patients at the age of 3 to 6 months. Upper trunk conducting neuromas were found in six of them. The follow-up period was, on average, 44.3 and 51.5 months in the nerve transfer and grafting group and in the neurolysis group, respectively. Excellent and good results in shoulder abduction, external rotation, and elbow flexion were found in 70 percent of patients in the nerve transfer and grafting group. However, none of the conservative treatment and neurolysis groups had a good result. The authors conclude that when there is no recovery of biceps contraction by 3 months of age, surgical intervention is indicated. Neuroma should be managed by nerve transfer and grafting, even though intraoperative electrophysiologic studies show that the neuroma is a conducting one.

Rehabilitation program for children with brachial plexus and peripheral nerve injury.

An aggressive and integrated physical and occupational therapy program is essential in the treatment of congenital brachial plexus injuries and other severe upper extremity nerve injuries. This article addresses the evaluation, identification of needs, establishment of goals, and the approaches to rehabilitation treatment for patients with brachial plexus palsy and other peripheral nerve injuries. Rehabilitative therapy can preserve and build on gains made possible by medical or surgical interventions; however, therapy is vital to these children regardless of whether surgery is indicated. The therapist uses a problem-solving approach to evaluate the patient and select appropriate occupational and physical therapy treatment modalities. Therapy is continually adjusted based on each child's unique needs. An understanding of the therapy principles aids in making appropriate referrals and prescriptions, and helps to coordinate care between the therapist, pediatrician, neurologist, and surgeon.

[Reconstruction of the shoulder joint function in the older obstetrical palsy].

OBJECTIVE: To study the reconstructional method and effect of shoulder joint function in the older obstetrical palsy with medial rotation contracture deformity. METHODS: From April 1996 to July 1999, 7 patients of older obstetrical palsy were adopted in this study. Among them, there were 5 males and 2 females, aged from 13 to 21 years old. No previous operation history and the main deformity was medial rotation contracture of shoulder. During operation, these patients were treated with "Z"-shape elongation of the tendon of subscapular muscle, transfer of the tendons of latissimus dorsi and teres major muscle to the tendons of supraspinous and infraspinous muscles. RESULTS: Followed up for 6 to 44 months(averaged 19 months), the Gilbert grading and Mallet scoring were 1.57, 7.57 preoperatively versus 3.45, 10.86 postoperatively, the abduction and external rotation of the shoulder joints recovered obviously. CONCLUSION: It is an effective operation for the older obstetrical palsy with medial rotation contracture of shoulder.

Tratamiento de la parálisis braquial obstétrica: comunicación preliminar / Treatment of the obstetrical brachial palsy: preliminary comunication

Se hace una beve revisión sobre 35 casos de parálisis braquial obstétrica del miembro superior tratados en el Hospital San Juan de Dios. Se analizan los resultados desde el punto de vista funcional haciéndose mención del origen geográfico del paciente, antecedentes obstétricos, tratamiento prey postoperatorio, y operación practicada