• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.328-330
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• 1994

Brachial plexus injury developing after axillary thoracotomy is an uncommon complication. But if it occurs, it may cause annoying events. We recently experienced 2 patients who developed brachial plexus injury after wedge resection by axillary thoracotomy . The first patient was a 22 year-old man with right spontaneous pneumothorax . After wedge resection of the right upper lung by axillary thoracotomy, he complained total paralysis of the right arm. An electromyogram was obtained at 7 days after operation, with the confirmation of brachial plexus injury. He was discharged at 22days after operation and brachial plexus injury was completely recovered 4 months after discharge. The second patient was a 17 year-old man with recurrent right pneumothorax. He underwent wedge resection of the right upper lung by axillary thoracotomy. Electromyogram confirmed the diagnosis of brachial plexus injury in the immediate postoperative period. He was discharged at 15 days after operation and brachial plexus injury was recovered 2months after discharge.Brachial plexus injury after axillary thoracotomy is caused by stretching around the clavicle and tendon of pectoralis minor by fixation of the abducted arm to the frame. Thus, when we perform wedge resection by axillary thoracotomy, we must avoid over-stretching of the brachial plexus in positioning. If brachial plexus injury develops, immediate attention and management with close rapport are important to avoid possible medicolegal problems.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.1278-1281
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• 1992

We have experienced two cases of traumatic subclavian artery rupture at the department of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, Youngdong Severance hospital, Yonsei University college of medicine. One was combined with brachial plexus injury and the other was combined with brachial plexus injury and subclavian vein rupture. They were treated with graft interposition after segmental resection of ruptured subclavian artery and neurorrhaphy for brachial plexus injury. Post operative courses were not eventful.

• Clinical Pain
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.44-47
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• 2019

Lying on the side while falling asleep deeply after drinking or taking a sleeping pill can cause compressive neuropathy. We report a 70-year-old male patient of medial cord of left brachial plexus injury (BPI) after deep sleep. The mechanism of the injury might be compression and stretching of brachial plexus. The electrodiagnostic study was performed and the medial cord lesion of BPI was suggested. The ultrasonography image of compression site revealed the nerve swelling of medial cord of brachial plexus and median nerve at the mid-arm level. Pharmacologic treatment including oral prednisolone and exercise training were prescribed. On 6 months after initial visit, neurologic symptom and pain were improved but mild sequelae was remained.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.244-247
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• 2008

After a traumatic brachial plexus injury, 80% of patients develop severe pain in the deafferentated arm. This type of pain is considered very resistant to many forms of therapy. When we plan treatments for the patient who suffer from a pain from traumatic brachial plexus injury, clarifying the location of injured nerve is very important. EMG (electromyography), NCV (nerve conduction study), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and CT (computed tomography) myelography are recommended diagnostic method for this purpose. Here, we presented a patient who was suspected to have both preganglionic and postganglionic brachial plexus lesion by EMG and NCV study, he showed favorable response after spinal cord stimulation.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 1998

The incidence of brachial plexus injury is increasing because of the development of motor vehicle but the the results of treatment was reported poor due to its complex anatomical structure and changes of function and sensory during the recovery after trauma. But the results of treatment has been improved by the recently introduced high sensitive diagnostic method that can evaluate accurately the site and extent of the injury and treatment method. Restoration of the elbow flexion is the most important goal of treatment after brachial plexus injury and nerve graft, neurotization and muscle transfer were used for methods of treatment. From December 1992 to May 1994, the author performed 6 cases of latissimus dorsi transfer at the same side for the improvement of elbow flexion in the patients of brachial plexus injury. There were 5 cases of male, one case of female and average age was 22 years old. The causes of injury were traffic accident in 3 cases, gun shot injury, falldown and birth injury in each one case and in all cases, the type of injury were upper arm type. The average follow up period were 1 year 5 months ranging from 12 months to 4 years 5 months. In all cases, active elbow flexion was impossible before operation and average muscle power was grade I. We analysed the active range of motion, muscle power and the functional results. At the last follow up, range of active elbow flexion was average $124^{\circ}$ and flexion contracture was average 11 degrees and the average of muscle power was grade IV. In the functional analysis, there were two cases of excellent, three cases of good and 1 case of fair. There was no complications including wound infection, vascular compromise and donor site problem. The results of latissimus dorsi transfer for improvement elbow flexion in the patients of brachial plexus injury is one of the useful mettled for the restoration of elbow flexion.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.102-107
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• 1998

We have performed the operations for the restoration of shoulder abduction and elbow flexion in 17 patients(20 cases of neurotization) of brachial plexus injury at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Korea University Hospital from October 1991 to May 1997. The mean follow-up period was 42 months. After neurotization for brachial plexus injury, functional recovery of shoulder abduction and elbow flexion were good and fair in 65%. In the functional evaluation, the clinical results of whole arm type were poorer than those of upper arm type, and the operations performed within 6 months since the injury were better than those of other cases.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.24-31
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• 2014

Objectives The purpose of this study is to know the effect of acupuncture on brachial plexus palsy due to birth injury. Methods We decided to treat one week of Vojta therapy and occupational therapy, but other were combined, and then add three weeks of acupuncture treatment as well. Results Right clavicle fracture at birth brachial plexus injury due to decreased locomotion of the right upper extremity, muscle weakness in children aged 7 months to Vojta therapy, occupational therapy and acupuncture, when performed in conjunction mobility increase of the shoulder joint, elbow support improvement, recovery of motor function of the hand grip, etc. to obtain a significant motor function recovery improvement. Conclusion Acupuncture was a good treatment of choice for the better shoulder, joint and hands movements.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.49-55
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• 2010

This study was performed to report the effect of oriental medical treatment and general biomechanic manipulation on a patient with upper limb palsy caused by postural brachial plexus injury. The patient was treated with acupuncture, herb medicine and general biomechanic manipulation. The effectiveness of treatment was evaluated with range of motion, visual analogue scale and manual muscle test. After 11 times treatment, motion and muscular force were progressed, pain was decreased. This result suggests that oriental medical treatment and general coordinative manipulation are effective to care the postural brachial plexus injury.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.210-218
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• 2014

Brachial plexus injury is a potential complication of a brachial plexus block or vessel puncture. It results from direct needle trauma, neurotoxicity of injection agents and hematoma formation. The neurological presentation may range from minor transient pain to severe sensory disturbance or motor loss with poor recovery. The management includes conservative treatment and surgical exploration. Especially if a hematoma forms, it should be removed promptly. Comprehensive knowledge of anatomy and adept skills are crucial to avoid nerve injuries. Whenever possible, the patient should not be heavily sedated and should be encouraged to immediately inform the doctor of any experience of numbness/paresthesia during the nerve block or vessel puncture.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.219-226
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report the effect of Korean medicine treatment on a patient with brachial plexus injury. Methods : The patient with symptoms of pain and dysesthesia on right forearm and hand was treated with acupuncture treatment, herbal medicine, moxibustion and physical treatment. Improvement of the patient's symptoms was evaluated by Hepatic dullness sound, NRS, VAS, SF-36 bodily pain, grip strength. Results : After 42 days of treatment, NRS score significantly decreased. VAS score, SF-36 bodily pain and grip strength showed moderate improvement. Conclusions : This results suggest that Korean medicine treatment may be effective in reducing the symptoms of brachial plexus injury.