Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Kerbl, S.
Outcome of plexus-reconstructions at the age of over 40 years: a follow-up study
Humanmedizin; [ Diplomarbeit ] Medizinische Universität Graz; 2025. pp.
- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Betreuer*innen:
- Girsch Werner
- Smolle Christian
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- Injuries of the brachial plexus can be the result of severe trauma like traffic or forestry accidents or birth trauma. The choice of therapy, the prognosis, and the outcome of plexus injuries – particularly regarding the functionality and usability of the affected extremity in everyday life – depend on several factors. These include the exact location of the nerve lesion in the brachial plexus (spinal root, trunci, divisions, cords or terminal branches), the affected arm function (shoulder function, elbow flexion, motor and sensory deficits in the forearm and hand), the form of injury (stretch, rupture, avulsion – neurapraxia, axonotmesis or neurotmesis), the mechanism of injury (compression, stretch or laceration of the nerve) and the mode of reconstruction (neurolysis, direct nerve repair or intra-/extraplexial nerve transfers). Brachial plexus reconstruction yields a good functional outcome in children and young adults, however, data and literature on the outcome after surgical reconstruction of brachial plexus injuries in patients over 40 years are scarce. Therefore, this thesis addresses the question whether brachial plexus reconstructions are effective in patients over 40 and aims to show the outcomes in this patient group.