López-Cervantes RE, Solano-Pérez RJ, Haro-Gómez HL, Pérez-Atanasio JM, Morales-de los Santos R, Fuentes-Espíritu ML, Jardón-Reyes A

Language: Spanish
References: 14
Page: 53-58
PDF size: 541.21 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Traumatic brachial plexus injuries are more common in young patients who are economically active. They are the result of high energy traumatisms along with multiple associated lesions. Most of them are lately diagnosed. In Mexico there are no epidemiologic reports regarding this affection. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology of brachial plexus injury in a reference center of one of the greatest cities in the world. We included the main injury mechanisms, associated injuries and time taken to diagnose and treat these affections.
Material and Methods: This is a descriptive, transversal epidemiologic study including patients with posttraumatic brachial plexus injury diagnosis at the Hospital de Ortopedia y Traumatología Magdalena de las Salinas, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social. Our study took place from October 2015 to October 2016. Information was obtained from secondary sources, including medical records. This study is registered and authorized by the local investigation committee.
Results: 29 cases met the criteria, the median age was 32.2 years, 82.8% were men, and the most common injury mechanism was motorcycle accidents in 51.7%, while sharp object injury accounted for 17.2% of the cases. Associated lesions were present in 86.2% of the patients, fractures in 55.2%, cranioencephalic trauma in 41.4%, thoracoabdominal trauma and scapular waist injury in 34.5%, vascular lesions 13.8%, and facial trauma 10.3%. Diagnosis was done approximately 4.8 months after the initial injury, and specific treatment initiated after 5.8 months. Within the brachial plexus injury, 92.9% were supraclavicular and 17.2% infraclavicular.
Discussion: Results were similar to those previously described in literature with some differences regarding mechanism of action, as a result associated lesions experienced modifications. Only a few brachial plexus injuries are promptly recognized, however a prompt diagnosis is one of the most determinant factors for a good functional prognosis. The role model of this injury is a male young patient with a high energy traumatism. The main associated injuries include cranioencephalic trauma and, thorax or scapular waist trauma. Larger studies with longer follow-up are needed in order to obtain association variables and prevalence.

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