Assessment of Early Results of Latissimus Dorsi Tendon Transfer to Improve Shoulder Functions in Late Obstetrical Brachial Plexus Palsy

Dohina, Sara Abdallah Ibrahim; Abdulaal, Mohamed Hassan; Ali, Ahmed Mohamed; Ahmad, Mohammad-Reda

doi:10.21608/ejhm.2022.249511

Assessment of Early Results of Latissimus Dorsi Tendon Transfer to Improve Shoulder Functions in Late Obstetrical Brachial Plexus Palsy

Authors

Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Microsurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University

10.21608/ejhm.2022.249511

Abstract

Background: Latissimus dorsi (LD) tendon transfer showed good results and outcomes in management of late obstetrical brachial plexus palsy. Objective: To assess the early results of LD transfer on external rotation and abduction of the shoulder in late obstetric brachial plexus palsy patients. Subjects and Methods: At Plastic Surgery Department, Zagazig University Hospitals, we conducted this observational case series study on a group of late obstetrical brachial plexus cases (as one group of 14 patients). Results: 57.1% of the affected limbs were right side and 42.9% were left side. 2 cases representing 14.3% of the total cases had history of primary surgery. 21.4% of the cases were affected at the level of C5-6 and 78.6% of the cases were affected at the level of C5-6-7. All cases showed significant improvement in all scores. The average operational time was 1.2 hours (from 1.1 hours as a minimum time and 1.5 hours as a maximum time). Conclusion: The results of our study support the advantage of LD tendon transfer in late obstetrical brachial plexus cases in improving the abduction and external rotation functions of the affected limb.