Surgical outcomes of the brachial plexus lesions caused by gunshot wounds in adults

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The management of brachial plexus injuries due to gunshot wounds is a surgical challenge. Better surgical strategies based on clinical and electrophysiological patterns are needed. The aim of this study is to clarify the factors which may influence the surgical technique and outcome of the brachial plexus lesions caused by gunshot injuries.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Two hundred and sixty five patients who had brachial plexus lesions caused by gunshot injuries were included in this study. All of them were male with a mean age of 22 years. Twenty-three patients were improved with conservative treatment while the others underwent surgical treatment. The patients were classified and managed according to the locations, clinical and electrophysiological findings, and coexisting lesions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The wounding agent was shrapnel in 106 patients and bullet in 159 patients. Surgical procedures were performed from 6 weeks to 10 months after the injury. The majority of the lesions were repaired within 4 months were improved successfully. Good results were obtained in upper trunk and lateral cord lesions. The outcome was satisfactory if the nerve was intact and only compressed by fibrosis or the nerve was in-contunuity with neuroma or fibrosis.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Appropriate surgical techniques help the recovery from the lesions, especially in patients with complete functional loss. Intraoperative nerve status and the type of surgery significantly affect the final clinical outcome of the patients.</p

Wyniki leczenia uszkodzenia nerwu strzałkowego na wysokości kolana: doświadczenie oddziału szpitala wo¡skowego

Background and purpose We investigated the management outcome of common peroneal nerve decompression at the knee level between the years 2005 and 2009. Material and methods Thirty consecutive patients with knee-level peroneal nerve injury who underwent decompression surgery and external neurolysis at our institution were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively by electrophysiological studies and motor examination (Medical Research Council grading). Results Twenty-eight of the cases were male and 2 were female. Mean age was 31.1 for males and 57.5 for females. Physical activity during military training (overstretch/contusion) was the cause of nerve lesion in the majority of the patients (n = 28, 93%). Mean time interval between the diagnosis and the surgery was 5 months. Follow-up time ranged from 3 to 48 months (mean: 14 months). Twenty-nine of 30 (97%) patients recovered totally or near totally in foot/toe dorsiflexion. Conclusions Early decompression and neurolysis of the common peroneal nerve (CPN) at knee level after strenuous physical activity offers excellent functional recovery. Additionally, for knee-level CPN injuries, in order to minimize the postoperative scar, pain and delay in wound healing, we strictly advocate short ‘lazy S-shaped incision’ around the fibular head in supine position unlike the classical extensive opening up to the superior border of the popliteal fossa in prone position.Wstęp i cel pracy Autorzy ocenili wyniki chirurgicznego odbarczenia nerwu strzałkowego wspólnego na wysokości kolana, wykonywanego w latach 2005–2009. Materiał i metody Przedoperacyjnej i pooperacyjnej ocenie klinicznej (w skali Medical Research Council) oraz elektrofizjologicznej poddano 30 kolejnych pacjentów z uszkodzeniem nerwu strzałkowego na wysokości kolana, u których wykonano odbarczenie chirurgiczne z zewnętrzną neurolizą. Wyniki Wśród leczonych było 28 mężczyzn (średnia wieku: 31,1 roku) i dwie kobiety (średnia wieku: 57,5 roku). U zdecydowanej większości pacjentów (n = 28, 93%) przyczyną uszkodzenia nerwu była aktywność fizyczna w czasie szkolenia wojskowego (nadmierne rozciągnięcie/stłuczenie). Średnia czasu od rozpoznania do operacji wyniosła 5 miesięcy. Obserwacja po zabiegu trwała od 3 do 48 miesięcy (średnia: 14 miesięcy). U 29 na 30 chorych (97%) uzyskano pełny lub prawie pełny powrót zgięcia grzbietowego stopy/palców. Wnioski Wczesne chirurgiczne odbarczenie i neuroliza nerwu strzałkowego wspólnego na wysokości kolana w leczeniu urazu powstałego wskutek nadmiernej aktywności fizycznej daje możliwość znakomitej poprawy czynnościowej. Ponadto w przypadku uszkodzeń nerwu strzałkowego wspólnego na wysokości kolana w celu zminimalizowania blizny pooperacyjnej, nasilenia bólu i opóźnienia w gojeniu się rany pooperacyjnej autorzy usilnie zalecają krótkie cięcie w kształcie wydłużonej litery „S” wokół głowy strzałki u chorego w pozycji leżącej na plecach zamiast klasycznego otwarcia aż do górnej granicy dołu podkolanowego w pozycji leżącej na brzuchu

Analysis of proximal radial nerve injury in the arm

Background: Radial nerve is the most frequently injured major nerve in the upper extremity. Proximal part of the radial nerve involvement can result from a humerus fracture, direct nerve trauma, compression and rarely from tumors. Objectives: The aim of the study is to determine the clinical characteristics and electrodiagnostic findings in patients with proximal radial nerve injuries, and also the outcome of surgical treatment. Materials and Methods: The study subjects included 46 patients with radial nerve injuries seen between June 2000 and June 2008 at our hospital. The analysis included demographics, clinical features, etiology, pre-and postoperative EMNG (Electromyoneurography) findings. Results: Surgical decompression resulted in neurological improvement in patients with radial entrapment neuropathies. Good neurological recovery was observed from decompression of callus of old humeral fracture. The worst results were observed in the direct missile injuries of the radial nerve. Conclusions: A detailed clinical and electrodiagnostic evaluation is of importance in patients with radial nerve injury to ensure an appropriate treatment. The choice of treatment, conservative or surgical, depends on the clinical presentation and the type of injury

The Use of Neuronavigation and Intraoperative Imaging in Spinal Stabilization Surgery

AIM: Misplacement of pedicle screw is the serious complication of spinal surgeries. Intraoperative imaging techniques and navigation systems are currently in use for the prevention of this complication. The aim of this study was to document the results of our experience with the navigation and intraoperative imaging technique and to share our experience with our colleagues. MATERIAL and METHODS: Between 2011 and 2014, one hundred and two patients underwent instrumented spinal surgery while using intraoperative computed tomography (iCT) and a navigation system. All patients had a CT scan performed no more than three days postoperatively to confirm adequate placement of the screws. The accuracy of pedicle screw placement was assessed by postoperative CT scan. Pedicle violations were graded according to an established classification system. RESULTS: In the 36-month period, a total of 610 screws in 102 patients were evaluated. Stabilization surgery was performed in the lumbosacral region in 51 (50%) patients, lumbar region in 35 (34.31%) patients, cervical region in 5 (4.9%) patients, thoracolumbar region in 7 (6.86%) patients and thoracic region in 4 (3.92%) patients. Of the 610 screws, 396 (64.91%) were placed in lumbar, 66 (10.81%) in thoracic, 106 (17.37%) in sacral and 42 (6.8%) in cervical vertebrae. Of the 610 screws, 599 screws (98.18%) were placed without a breach. Grade 1 breaches occurred in 8 screws (1.31%), Grade 2 breaches occurred in 2 screws (0.32%), and Grade 3 breaches in 1 screw (0.16%). No dural defect or neurological deficit occurred after the surgeries. CONCLUSION: The use of an ICT scan associated with a navigation system increases the accuracy of pedicle screw placement. This system protects the surgical team from fluoroscopic radiation exposure and the patient from the complications of screw misplacement and repeated surgeries

The Surgical Anatomy of the Brachial Plexus Brakial Pleksusun Cerrahi Anatomisi Original Investigation

ABSTRACT AIM: The brachial plexus (BP) has a complex structure and risky relations with its neighborhoods. This study was designed to investigate and overcome the morphometric features of the BP and the difficulties regarding surgery of BP lesions. MATERIAL and METHOD: Twelve BP of six adult cadavers were dissected and neural structures, branches, and variations were evaluated. Morphometric measurements were done and surgical approaches were discussed. RESULTS: The length of anterior (ventral) rami of C5-T1 are in decreasing order such as C5 &gt; C6 &gt; C7 &gt; C8 &gt; T1 and the width of them is in decreasing order such as C7 &gt; C8 &gt; C6 &gt; T1 &gt; C5. The length of upper trunk (UT) , middle trunk (MT) and lower trunk (LT) are approximately similar (UT~MT ~LT) , but the width is in decreasing order as LT &gt; UT &gt; MT. The length of the cords are in decreasing order as posterior cord (PC) &gt;lateral cord (LC) &gt;medial cord (MC), whereas their widths are PC&gt;LC&gt;MC . CONCLUSION: From the ventral rami to the cords, BP has a complex and variable anatomic structure. The selection of surgical procedure to the BP needs to be mastered by having the best knowledge of the relevant anatomy. SONUÇ: Brakiyal pleksus ventral ramuslardan kordlara kadar kompleks ve değişken bir anatomik yapıya sahiptir. Brakiyal pleksusa yapılacak cerrahi yöntemin seçiminde ilgili bölgenin anatomisinin çok iyi bilinmesi gereklidir

Is dysphonia permanent or temporary after anterior cervical approach?

The rate, causes and prognosis of dysphonia after anterior cervical approach (ACA) were investigated in our clinical series. During a 10-year interval, 235 consecutive patients with cervical disc disease underwent surgical treatment using anterior approach. Retrospective chart reviews showed recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury in 3 (1.27%) patients. All three patients were men and only one patient had multilevel surgery. These patients had RLN injury after virgin surgery. Laryngoscopic examination demonstrated unilateral vocal cord paralysis in all patients who had postoperative dysphonia. No permanent dysphonia was observed in our series and patients recovered after a mean of 2 months (range 1–3 months) duration. Dysphonia after ACA was a rare complication in our clinical series. Pressure on RLN or retraction may result in temporary dysphonia