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Child's Nervous System
Published in: Child's Nervous System 12/2020

01-12-2020 | Brachial Plexus Palsy | Original Article

Long-term evaluation of hand function in children undergoing Oberlin and Oberlin-like procedures for reinnervation of the biceps muscle

Authors: Mario G. Siqueira, Carlos Otto Heise, Mariana Pessa, Monise Zacariotto, Roberto S. Martins

Published in: Child's Nervous System | Issue 12/2020

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Abstract

Purpose

Long-term evaluation of hand function in children who underwent transfer procedures to reinnervate the biceps muscle, using fascicles from the ulnar and median nerves as donors.

Methods

In the last follow-up evaluation, the children underwent a neurological examination, and their hand status was classified according to the Raimondi grading system for hand function. Two physical measurements, the child health assessment questionnaire (CHAQ) and the Sollerman hand function test, were applied to assess upper extremity function.

Results

Eight children were re-evaluated. In four the donor fascicle was from the ulnar nerve and in four from the median nerve. The average interval between surgery and the last evaluation was 8.3 years (range 6–10 years). Five patients scored 5 points in the Raimondi grading system, and 3 patients scored 4 points. The results from the CHAQ ranged from 0.03 to 0.41. The results from the Sollerman test were between 60 and 77 for the affected upper limb and between 65 and 79 for the dominant upper limb.

Conclusion

Nerve transfer of a fascicle from the ulnar or median nerve to the biceps motor branch in children with neonatal brachial plexus palsy does not result in hand dysfunction.
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Metadata
Title
Long-term evaluation of hand function in children undergoing Oberlin and Oberlin-like procedures for reinnervation of the biceps muscle
Authors
Mario G. Siqueira
Carlos Otto Heise
Mariana Pessa
Monise Zacariotto
Roberto S. Martins
Publication date
01-12-2020
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Child's Nervous System / Issue 12/2020
Print ISSN: 0256-7040
Electronic ISSN: 1433-0350
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-020-04634-2

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