Spinal Accessory Nerve Transfer Outperforms Cervical Root Grafting for Suprascapular Nerve Reconstruction in Neonatal Brachial Plexus Palsy

Abstract

Background: The authors evaluated long-term shoulder function in patients with neonatal brachial plexus palsy undergoing suprascapular nerve reconstruction with cervical root grafting or spinal accessory nerve transfer. Methods: A retrospective review was performed on all infants presenting with neonatal brachial plexus palsy between 1994 and 2010. Functional outcomes were compared by type of suprascapular nerve reconstruction. Results: Seventy-four patients met the inclusion criteria (46 transfers, 28 grafts). Both groups presented with an active movement scale score of 2.0 for shoulder abduction and 0.0 for external rotation. Postoperative follow-up was 9.0 years for the graft group and 6...