Suprascapular nerve reconstruction in 118 cases of adult posttraumatic brachial plexus.

BACKGROUND: Shoulder stabilization is of utmost importance in upper extremity reanimation following paralysis from devastating brachial plexus injuries. The purpose of this report is to present the authors' experience with suprascapular nerve reconstruction in 118 cases of adult brachial plexus lesions. Outcomes were analyzed in relation to various factors, including patient age, denervation time, donor nerve used, and functional restoration achieved in the supraspinatus versus the infraspinatus muscles.

METHODS: The medical records of 118 adult patients operated on by a single surgeon between 1978 and 2002 who had suprascapular nerve reconstruction were reviewed; 102 patients had adequate follow-up. Direct neurotization of the suprascapular nerve was carried out in 78 patients, while in 40 patients, interposition nerve grafts were used. In 80 patients, the distal spinal accessory was used as the motor donor nerve for suprascapular nerve neurotization, while in 10 patients, other extraplexus motor donors were used. In 28 patients, intraplexus motor donors were used to reinnervate the suprascapular nerve.

RESULTS: Results were good or excellent in 79 percent of the patients for the supraspinatus muscle and in 55 percent for the infraspinatus. There was a statistically significant difference between direct spinal accessory to suprascapular nerve neurotization and accessory to suprascapular via a nerve graft. Early surgery and less than 6 months of denervation time yielded significantly better results than late surgery and more than 6 months of delay in the treatment.

CONCLUSIONS: Suprascapular nerve neurotization is a high priority in upper limb reanimation for restoration of glenohumeral joint stability, shoulder abduction, and external rotation. Concomitant neurotization of the axillary nerve yields improved outcomes in shoulder abduction function. The best results are seen when direct neurotization of the suprascapular nerve is performed within 6 months from the injury.