The surgical timing of brachial plexus compression secondary to traumatized subclavicular vessels rupture

Abstract

Objective To investigate the mechanism ,clinical classification ,diagnosis and treatment in patients with brachial plexus compression caused by traumatized subclavicular vessels rupture. Methods Brachial plexus compression caused by traumatized subclavicular vessels rupture in 5 cases were involved. For 4 cases, compression of brachial plexus was due to local hematoma following vessel rupture, in which cases epineurolysis was done after hematoma clearance and repair and litigation of rupture of the vessels. For 1 case, brachial plexus root injury was complicated by thrombus of subclavian artery. Both thrombectomy and nerve transfer were performed. Phrenic nerve and accessory nerve was transferred to muslcutaneous and suprascapular nerve respectively. Results Over an average period of 13 months follow - up, assessment criteria described by GU YuDong was done with a result of excellent 2 cases ,good 1 case, fair 2 case. Conclusions Once the diagnosis was made, operation be performed immediately thus satisfactory outcome can be obtained. Prognosis was related with surgical time, the region and size of vessel rupture. Key words: Blood vessels; Brachial plexus; Aneurysm,False; Microsurgery